Mammalian cytokines; related reagents

ABSTRACT

Purified genes encoding a cytokine or composite cytokine from a mammal, reagents related thereto including purified proteins, specific antibodies, and nucleic acids encoding these molecules are provided. Methods of using said reagents and diagnostic kits are also provided.

[0001] This filing is a continuation-in-part US Utility patent application claiming priority to co-pending U.S. Ser. No. 09/568,699, filed Sep. 8, 2000, and the benefit of filing of Provisional US Patent Applications U.S. Ser. No. 60/146,581, filed Jul. 30, 1999; and U.S. Ser. No. 60/147,763, filed Aug. 6, 1999, each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention pertains to compositions related to proteins which function in controlling biology and physiology of mammalian cells, e.g., cells of a mammalian immune system. In particular, it provides purified genes, proteins, antibodies, and related reagents useful, e.g., to regulate activation, development, differentiation, and function of various cell types, including hematopoietic cells.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Recombinant DNA technology refers generally to the technique of integrating genetic information from a donor source into vectors for subsequent processing, such as through introduction into a host, whereby the transferred genetic information is copied and/or expressed in the new environment. Commonly, the genetic information exists in the form of complementary DNA (cDNA) derived from messenger RNA (mRNA) coding for a desired protein product. The carrier is frequently a plasmid having the capacity to incorporate cDNA for later replication in a host and, in some cases, actually to control expression of the cDNA and thereby direct synthesis of the encoded product in the host.

[0004] For some time, it has been known that the mammalian immune response is based on a series of complex cellular interactions, called the “immune network”. Recent research has provided new insights into the inner workings of this network. While it remains clear that much of the response does, in fact, revolve around the network-like interactions of lymphocytes, macrophages, granulocytes, and other cells, immunologists now generally hold the opinion that soluble proteins, known as lymphokines, cytokines, or monokines, play a critical role in controlling these cellular interactions. Thus, there is considerable interest in the isolation, characterization, and mechanisms of action of cell modulatory factors, an understanding of which will lead to significant advancements in the diagnosis and therapy of numerous medical abnormalities, e.g., immune system disorders. Some of these factors are hematopoietic growth and/or differentiation factors, e.g., stem cell factor (SCF) or IL-11. See, e.g., Mire-Sluis and Thorpe (1998) Cytokines Academic Press, San Diego; Thomson (ed. 1998) The Cytokine Handbook (3d ed.) Academic Press, San Diego; Metcalf and Nicola (1995) The Hematopoietic Colony Stimulating Factors Cambridge University Press; and Aggarwal and Gutterman (1991) Human Cytokines Blackwell.

[0005] Lymphokines apparently mediate cellular activities in a variety of ways. They have been shown to support the proliferation, growth, and differentiation of pluripotential hematopoietic stem cells into vast numbers of progenitors comprising diverse cellular lineages making up a complex immune system. Proper and balanced interactions between the cellular components are necessary for a healthy immune response. The different cellular lineages often respond in a different manner when lymphokines are administered in conjunction with other agents.

[0006] Cell lineages especially important to the immune response include two classes of lymphocytes: B-cells, which can produce and secrete immunoglobulins (proteins with the capability of recognizing and binding to foreign matter to effect its removal), and T-cells of various subsets that secrete lymphokines and induce or suppress the B-cells and various other cells (including other T-cells) making up the immune network. These lymphocytes interact with many other cell types.

[0007] Another important cell lineage is the mast cell (which has not been positively identified in all mammalian species), which is a granule-containing connective tissue cell located proximal to capillaries throughout the body. These cells are found in especially high concentrations in the lungs, skin, and gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts. Mast cells play a central role in allergy-related disorders, particularly anaphylaxis as follows: when selected antigens crosslink one class of immunoglobulins bound to receptors on the mast cell surface, the mast cell degranulates and releases mediators, e.g., histamine, serotonin, heparin, and prostaglandins, which cause allergic reactions, e.g., anaphylaxis.

[0008] IL-12 plays a critical role in cell-mediated immunity (Gately et al. (1998); Trinchieri (1998); and Trinchieri (1995)). Its activities are triggered through a high-affinity receptor complex that gathers two closely related subunits, IL-12Rβ1 and β2 (Chua, et al. (1995); and Preskey et al. (1996b)). The p35 subunit has been suggested to bind to a second a second soluble cytokine receptor called EBI3 (Devergne et al. (1997)).

[0009] As yet no biological activity has been reported for the p35-EBI3 pair, however, pairings of IL-12 subunits or IL-12-like subunits with other cytokines may provide information about cell-mediated immunity, e.g. T-cell regulation. Furthermore, the discovery of receptors or receptor subunits for these heteromeric cytokines will also provide information regarding immune regulation.

[0010] Research to better understand and treat various immune disorders has been hampered by the general inability to maintain cells of the immune system in vitro. Immunologists have discovered that culturing these cells can be accomplished through the use of T-cell and other cell supernatants, which contain various growth factors, including many of the lymphokines.

[0011] From the foregoing, it is evident that the discovery and development of new lymphokines and their related receptors or receptor subunits e.g., related to IL-11 and IL-12 could contribute to new therapies for a wide range of degenerative or abnormal conditions, which directly or indirectly involve the immune system and/or hematopoietic cells. In particular, the discovery and development of lymphokines which enhance or potentiate the beneficial activities of known lymphokines would be highly advantageous. The present invention provides new interleukin compositions, receptor subunits, and related compounds, and methods for their use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 shows the comparison between SEQ ID NO: 2 and the IL-D80 variant polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 8.

[0013]FIG. 2 shows a comparison of rodent IL-D80 (SEQ ID NO: 4) and variant rodent IL-D80 (SEQ ID NO: 10) polypeptide sequences.

[0014]FIGS. 3A and 3B show a comparison of human and rodent IL-D80 and IL-11 polypeptide sequences(Human IL-11 is SEQ ID NO: 5; mouse IL-11 is SEQ ID NO: 6, both sequences are available from GenBank.).

[0015]FIG. 4 shows an additional comparison of various IL-11 embodiments with primate IL-D80 (SEQ ID NO: 8 instead of SEQ ID NO: 2) and rodent IL-D80 (SEQ ID NO: 10 instead of SEQ ID NO: 4).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The present invention is directed to mammalian, e.g., rodent, canine, feline, primate, interleukin numbered DNAX 80, or IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 and its biological activities. The present invention is also based upon the discovery of the association of IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 with the IL-12p40-like molecule, EBI3, and the binding of this composite cytokine to an IL-12Rβ2 subunit homologue known as TCCR. It includes nucleic acids coding for polypeptides themselves and methods for their production and use. The nucleic acids of the invention are characterized, in part, by their homology to complementary DNA (cDNA) sequences disclosed herein, and/or by functional assays for growth factor- or cytokine-like activities, e.g., IL-11 (see Thomson (1998) The Cytokine Handbook 3d ed., Academic Press, San Diego), applied to the polypeptides, which are typically encoded by these nucleic acids. Methods for modulating or intervening in the control of a growth factor dependent physiology or an immune response are provided.

[0017] The present invention is based, in part, upon the discovery of new cytokine sequences exhibiting significant sequence and structural similarity to IL-11. In particular, it provides primate, e.g., human, and rodent, e.g., mouse, sequences. Functional equivalents exhibiting significant sequence homology will be available from other mammalian, e.g., cow, horse, and rat, mouse, and non-mammalian species.

[0018] In various protein embodiments, the invention provides: a substantially pure or recombinant IL-D80 polypeptide exhibiting identity over a length of at least about 12 amino acids to SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 8, or 10; a natural sequence IL-D80 of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 8, or 10; and a fusion protein comprising IL-D80 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 8, or 5 10. In certain embodiments, the segment of identity is at least about 14, 17, or 19 amino acids. In other embodiments, the IL-D80 comprises a mature sequence comprising the sequences from SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 8, or 10; or exhibits a post-translational modification pattern distinct from natural IL-D80; or the polypeptide: is from a warm blooded animal selected from a mammal, including a primate; comprises at least one polypeptide segment of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 8, or 10; exhibits a plurality of amino acid residue fragments; is a natural allelic variant of IL-D80; has a length at least about 30 amino acids; exhibits at least two non-overlapping epitopes which are specific for a primate IL-D80; exhibits sequence identity over a length of at least about 20 amino acids to primate IL-D80; is glycosylated; has a molecular weight of at least 10 kD with natural glycosylation; is a synthetic polypeptide; is attached to a solid substrate; is conjugated to another chemical moiety; is a 5-fold or less substitution from natural sequence; or is a deletion or insertion variant from a natural sequence. Preferred embodiments include a composition comprising: a sterile IL-D80 polypeptide; or the IL-D80 polypeptide and a carrier, wherein the carrier is: an aqueous compound, including water, saline, and/or buffer; and/or formulated for oral, rectal, nasal, topical, or parenteral administration. In fusion protein embodiments, the protein can have: mature polypeptide sequence from SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 8, or 10; a detection or purification tag, including a FLAG, His6, or Ig sequence; and/or sequence of another cytokine or chemokine, including an IL-11.

[0019] Kit embodiments include those with an IL-D80 polypeptide, and: a compartment comprising the polypeptide; and/or instructions for use or disposal of reagents in the kit.

[0020] In binding compound embodiments, the compound may have an antigen binding site from an antibody, which specifically binds to a natural IL-D80 polypeptide, wherein: the IL-D80 is a primate protein; the binding compound is an Fv, Fab, or Fab2 fragment; the binding compound is conjugated to another chemical moiety; or the antibody: is raised against a peptide sequence of a mature polypeptide portion from SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 8, or 10; is raised against a mature IL-D80; is raised to a purified primate IL-D80; is immunoselected; is a polyclonal antibody; binds to a denatured IL-D80; exhibits a Kd of at least 30_M; is attached to a solid substrate, including a bead or plastic membrane; is in a sterile composition; or is detectably labeled, including a radioactive or fluorescent label. Kits containing binding compounds include those with: a compartment comprising the binding compound; and/or instructions for use or disposal of reagents in the kit. Often the kit is capable of making a qualitative or quantitative analysis. Preferred compositions will comprise: a sterile binding compound; or the binding compound and a carrier, wherein the carrier is: an aqueous compound, including water, saline, and/or buffer; and/or formulated for oral, rectal, nasal, topical, or parenteral administration.

[0021] Nucleic acid embodiments include an isolated or recombinant nucleic acid encoding an IL-D80 polypeptide or fusion protein, wherein: the IL-D80 is from a primate; and/or the nucleic acid: encodes an antigenic peptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 8, or 10; encodes a plurality of antigenic peptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 8, or 10; exhibits identity to a natural cDNA encoding the segment; is an expression vector; further comprises an origin of replication; is from a natural source; comprises a detectable label; comprises synthetic nucleotide sequence; is less than 6 kb, preferably less than 3 kb; is from a primate, including a human; comprises a natural full length coding sequence; is a hybridization probe for a gene encoding the IL-D80; or is a PCR primer, PCR product, or mutagenesis primer. The invention also provides a cell, tissue, or organ comprising such a recombinant nucleic acid, and preferably the cell will be: a prokaryotic cell; a eukaryotic cell; a bacterial cell; a yeast cell; an insect cell; a mammalian cell; a mouse cell; a primate cell; or a human cell.

[0022] Kit embodiments include those with such nucleic acids, and: a compartment comprising the nucleic acid; a compartment further comprising the IL-D80 protein or polypeptide; and/or instructions for use or disposal of reagents in the kit. Typically, the kit is capable of making a qualitative or quantitative analysis.

[0023] In certain embodiments, the nucleic acid: hybridizes under wash conditions of 30° C. and less than 2M salt, or of 45° C. and/or 500 mM salt, or 55° C. and/or 150 mM salt, to SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 7, or 9; or exhibits identity over a stretch of at least about 30, 55, or 75 nucleotides, to a primate IL-D80.

[0024] The invention embraces a method of modulating physiology or development of a cell or tissue culture cells comprising contacting the cell with an agonist or antagonist of a primate IL-D80. The method may be where: the contacting is in combination with an agonist or antagonist of IL-11; or the contacting is with an antagonist, including a binding composition comprising an antibody binding site which specifically binds an IL-D80.

[0025] The invention further provides a composite cytokine comprising a plurality of segments of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 8 or 10 and SEQ ID NO: 12. Also encompassed is an isolated or recombinant polynucleotide encoding the composite cytokine of said composite cytokine. Further provided is a receptor subunit:ligand composition comprising a plurality of polypeptide segments of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 8, or 10, SEQ ID NO: 12, and SEQ ID NO: 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] All references cited herein are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. OUTLINE I. General II. Purified IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 A. physical properties B. biological properties III. Physical Variants A. sequence variants, fragments B. post-translational variants 1. glycosylation 2. others IV. Functional Variants A. analogs, fragments 1. agonists 2. antagonists B. mimetics 1. protein 2. chemicals C. species variants V. Antibodies A. polyclonal B. monoclonal C. fragments, binding compositions VI. Nucleic Acids A. natural isolates; methods B. synthetic genes C. methods to isolate VII. Making IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3, mimetics A. recombinant methods B. synthetic methods C. natural purification VIII. Uses A. diagnostic B. therapeutic IX. Kits A. nucleic acid reagents B. protein reagents C. antibody reagents X. Isolating receptors for IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3

[0027] I. General

[0028] The present invention provides amino acid sequences and DNA sequences encoding various mammalian proteins, which are cytokines, e.g., which are secreted molecules which can mediate a signal between immune or other cells. See, e.g., Paul (1997) Fundamental Immunology (3d ed.) Raven Press, N.Y. The full length cytokines, and fragments, or antagonists will be useful in physiological modulation of cells expressing a receptor. It is likely that IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 has either stimulatory or inhibitory effects on hematopoietic cells, including, e.g., lymphoid cells, such as T-cells, B-cells, natural killer (NK) cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, hematopoietic progenitors, etc. In particular, the IL-D80/EBI3 composite cytokine may play a role in inflammation, including, but not limited to ulcerative colitis, arthritis, etc. The proteins will also be useful as antigens, e.g., immunogens, for raising antibodies to various epitopes on the protein, both linear and conformational epitopes.

[0029] A cDNA encoding IL-D80 was identified from various primate, e.g., human, sequences of BACs of Chromosome 16. See, e.g., CIT987SK-A-575C2, and CIT987SK-A-761H5. The molecule was designated huIL-D80. A human EST has been identified and described, human EST AI085007. A mouse EST AA266872 has also been identified and described.

[0030] The primate, e.g., human, gene will encode a small soluble cytokine-like protein, of about 216 amino acids (for SEQ ID NO: 2) or about 243 amino acids (for SEQ ID NO: 8). See SEQ. ID. NOs: 1, 2, 7, and 8. Exon boundaries are likely to correspond to about 219/220; 393/394; 492/493; and 551/552 of SEQ ID NO: 1. Coding segments corresponding to those boundaries are particularly interesting. Translated amino acid sequence, which is encoded by nucleotides 193 to 918 of SEQ ID NO: 1, is shown in SEQ ID NO: 2.

[0031] A predicted signal cleavage site may exist between about residues 25-30 of SEQ ID NO: 2; helix A is predicted to run from about residues 33-38 to about residues 54-59 of SEQ ID NO: 2; helix B is predicted to run from about residues 85-90 to about residues 111-116 of SEQ ID NO: 2; helix C is predicted to run from about residues 121-126 to about residues 154-159 of SEQ ID NO: 2; and helix D is predicted to run from about residues 201-206 to about residues 228-233 of SEQ ID NO: 2.

[0032] SEQ ID NO: 7 shows a variant of IL-D80 and SEQ ID NO: 8 is the encoded polypeptide. FIG. 1 shows the comparison between SEQ ID NO: 2 and the IL-D80 variant polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 8. Structural motifs are as indicated above with the appropriate change in residue positions.

[0033] The corresponding rodent polynucleotide sequence of IL-D80 is shown in SEQ ID NO: 3. Exon boundaries are likely to run from about 198/199; 360/361; 459/460; and 618/619. The predicted polypeptide sequence, which runs from about nucleotide 199 to 891 of SEQ ID NO: 3, is shown in SEQ ID NO: 4. The predicted signal cleavage site runs from about residue 16-21 of SEQ ID NO: 4; helix A is predicted to run from about residue 21-26 to about residue 41-46; helix B is predicted to run from about residue 72-77 to about residue 101-106; helix C is predicted to run from about residue 108-133 to about residue 141-146; and helix D is predicted to run from about residue 185-190 to about residue 211-215. All postions refer to SEQ ID NO: 4. A variant rodent IL-D80 polynucleotide sequence is shown in SEQ ID NO: 9 and the predicted polypeptide sequence is shown in SEQ ID NO: 10. A comparison of rodent IL-D80 (SEQ ID NO: 4) and variant rodent IL-D80 (SEQ ID NO: 10) polypeptide sequences is shown in FIG. 2.

[0034] IL-D80 exhibits structural motifs characteristic of a member of the long chain cytokines. A comparison of human and rodent IL-D80 and IL-11 polypeptide sequences is provided in FIGS. 3A and 3B (Human IL-11 is SEQ ID NO: 5; mouse IL-11 is SEQ ID NO: 6, both sequences are available from GenBank.). Additional comparison of various IL-11 embodiments with primate IL-D80 (SEQ ID NO: 8 instead of SEQ ID NO: 2) and rodent IL-D80 (SEQ ID NO: 10 instead of SEQ ID NO: 4) are shown in FIG. 4. Primate IL-11, e.g., human, is SEQ ID NO: 5; rodent IL-11, e.g., mouse, is SEQ ID NO: 6. Alignments with IL-11 were made using CLUSTAL X (1.8) multiple sequence alignment program. The structural homology of IL-D80 to related cytokine proteins suggests related function of this molecule. IL-D80 is a long chain cytokine exhibiting sequence similarity to IL-11.

[0035] Comparison of the sequences will also provide an evolutionary tree. This can be generated, e.g., using the TreeView program in combination with the ClustalX analysis software program. See Thompson, et al. Nuc. Acids Res. 25:4876-4882; and TreeView, Page, IBLS, University of Glasgow, e-mail rpage@bio.gla.ac.uk; http://taxonomy.zoology.gla.ac.uk.rod.treeview.html.

[0036] Co-transfection of human EBI3 (GenBank NM005755; Devergne, et al. (1996) J. Virol. 70:1143-1153; SEQ ID NOs: 11 and 12) cDNA and human IL-D80 cDNA leads to enhanced secretion of IL-D80. IL-D80 co-immunoprecipitated with EBI3, and conversely, EBI3 co-immunoprecipitated with IL-D80. This indicates that these two proteins form a composite factor that either itself has biological functions (that neither protein has on its own) or EBI3 is used as a shuttle to release IL-D80 in the supernatant. The IL-80D/EBI3 composite cytokine has been shown to bind to TCCR (GenBank AF265242; Chen, et al. (2000) Nature 407:916-920; SEQ ID NO: 13 and 14), an IL-12R-like subunit.

[0037] IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 agonists, or antagonists, may also act as functional or receptor antagonists. Thus, IL-D80, IL-D80/EBI13, TCCR, or its antagonists, may be useful in the treatment of abnormal medical conditions, including immune disorders, e.g., T cell immune deficiencies, inflammation, or tissue rejection, or in cardiovascular or neurophysiological conditions.

[0038] The natural antigens are capable of mediating various biochemical responses which lead to biological or physiological responses in target cells. The preferred embodiment characterized herein is from human, but other primate, or other species counterparts exist in nature. Additional sequences for proteins in other mammalian species, e.g., primates, canines, felines, and rodents, should also be available, particularly the domestic animal species. See below. The descriptions below are directed, for exemplary purposes, to a human IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3, but are likewise applicable to related embodiments from other species.

[0039] II. Purified IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3

[0040] Mammlian IL-D80 amino acid sequence, is shown in several embodiments, e.g., SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 8, or 10. EBI3 amino acid sequence is provided in SEQ ID NO: 12. Other naturally occurring nucleic acids which encode the protein can be isolated by standard procedures using the provided sequence, e.g., PCR techniques, or by hybridization. These amino acid sequences, provided amino to carboxy, are important in providing sequence information for the cytokine allowing for distinguishing the protein antigen from other proteins and exemplifying numerous variants. Moreover, the peptide sequences allow preparation of peptides to generate antibodies to recognize such segments, and nucleotide sequences allow preparation of oligonucleotide probes, both of which are strategies for detection or isolation, e.g., cloning, of genes encoding such sequences.

[0041] As used herein, the term “human soluble IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3” shall encompass, when used in a protein context, a protein having amino acid sequence corresponding to a soluble polypeptide shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 or 8, or significant fragments thereof. Preferred embodiments comprise a plurality of distinct, e.g., nonoverlapping, segments of the specified length. Typically, the plurality will be at least two, more usually at least three, and preferably 5, 7, or even more. While the length minima are provided, longer lengths, of various sizes, may be appropriate, e.g., one of length 7, and two of length 12.

[0042] Binding components, e.g., antibodies, typically bind to an IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 with high affinity, e.g., at least about 100 nM, usually better than about 30 nM, preferably better than about 10 nM, and more preferably at better than about 3 nM. Counterpart proteins will be found in mammalian species other than human, e.g., other primates, ungulates, or rodents. Non-mammalian species should also possess structurally or functionally related genes and proteins, e.g., birds or amphibians.

[0043] The term “polypeptide” as used herein includes a significant fragment or segment, and encompasses a stretch of amino acid residues of at least about 8 amino acids, generally at least about 12 amino acids, typically at least about 16 amino acids, preferably at least about 20 amino acids, and, in particularly preferred embodiments, at least about 30 or more amino acids, e.g., 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 75, 100, etc. Such fragments may have ends which begin and/or end at virtually all positions, e.g., beginning at residues 1, 2, 3, etc., and ending at, e.g., 150, 149, 148, etc., in all practical combinations. Particularly interesting peptides have ends corresponding to structural domain boundaries, e.g., helices A, B, C, and/or D.

[0044] The term “binding composition” refers to molecules that bind with specificity to IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3, e.g., in an antibody-antigen interaction. The specificity may be more or less inclusive, e.g., specific to a particular embodiment, or to groups of related embodiments, e.g., primate, rodent, etc. It also includes compounds, e.g., proteins, which specifically associate with IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3, including in a natural physiologically relevant protein-protein interaction, either covalent or non-covalent. The molecule may be a polymer, or chemical reagent. A functional analog may be a protein with structural modifications, or it may be a molecule which has a molecular shape which interacts with the appropriate binding determinants. The compounds may serve as agonists or antagonists of a receptor binding interaction, see, e.g., Goodman, et al. (eds.) Goodman & Gilman's: The Pharmacological Bases of Therapeutics (current ed.) Pergamon Press.

[0045] Substantially pure, e.g., in a protein context, typically means that the protein is free from other contaminating proteins, nucleic acids, or other biologicals derived from the original source organism. Purity may be assayed by standard methods, typically by weight, and will ordinarily be at least about 40% pure, generally at least about 50% pure, often at least about 60% pure, typically at least about 80% pure, preferably at least about 90% pure, and in most preferred embodiments, at least about 95% pure. Carriers or excipients will often be added.

[0046] Solubility of a polypeptide or fragment depends upon the environment and the polypeptide. Many parameters affect polypeptide solubility, including temperature, electrolyte environment, size and molecular characteristics of the polypeptide, and nature of the solvent. Typically, the temperature at which the polypeptide is used ranges from about 4° C. to about 65° C. Usually the temperature at use is greater than about 18° C. For diagnostic purposes, the temperature will usually be about room temperature or warmer, but less than the denaturation temperature of components in the assay. For therapeutic purposes, the temperature will usually be body temperature, typically about 37° C. for humans and mice, though under certain situations the temperature may be raised or lowered in situ or in vitro.

[0047] The size and structure of the polypeptide should generally be in a substantially stable state, and usually not in a denatured state. The polypeptide may be associated with other polypeptides in a quaternary structure, e.g., to confer solubility, or associated with lipids or detergents.

[0048] The solvent and electrolytes will usually be a biologically compatible buffer, of a type used for preservation of biological activities, and will usually approximate a physiological aqueous solvent. Usually the solvent will have a neutral pH, typically between about 5 and 10, and preferably about 7.5. On some occasions, one or more detergents will be added, typically a mild non-denaturing one, e.g., CHS (cholesteryl hemisuccinate) or CHAPS (3-[3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propane sulfonate), or a low enough concentration as to avoid significant disruption of structural or physiological properties of the protein. In other instances, a harsh detergent may be used to effect significant denaturation.

[0049] The above will also be applicable to the IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3/EBI3 composite cytokine, where SEQ ID NO: 12 is the polypeptide sequence of EBI3.

[0050] III. Physical Variants

[0051] This invention also encompasses proteins or peptides having substantial amino acid sequence identity with the amino acid sequence of the IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 antigen. The variants include species, polymorphic, or allelic variants.

[0052] Amino acid sequence homology, or sequence identity, is determined by optimizing residue matches, if necessary, by introducing gaps as required. See also Needleham, et al. (1970) J. Mol. Biol. 48:443-453; Sankoff, et al. (1983) Chapter One in Time Warps String Edits, and Macromolecules: The Theory and Practice of Sequence Comparison, Addison-Wesley, Reading, Mass.; and software packages from IntelliGenetics, Mountain View, Calif.; and the University of Wisconsin Genetics Computer Group, Madison, Wis. Sequence identity changes when considering conservative substitutions as matches. Conservative substitutions typically include substitutions within the following groups: glycine, alanine; valine, isoleucine, leucine; aspartic acid, glutamic acid; asparagine, glutamine; serine, threonine; lysine, arginine; and phenylalanine, tyrosine. The conservation may apply to biological features, functional features, or structural features. Homologous amino acid sequences are typically intended to include natural polymorphic or allelic and interspecies variations of a protein sequence. Typical homologous proteins or peptides will have from 25-100% identity (if gaps can be introduced), to 50-100% identity (if conservative substitutions are included) with the amino acid sequence of the IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3. Identity measures will be at least about 35%, generally at least about 40%, often at least about 50%, typically at least about 60%, usually at least about 70%, preferably at least about 80%, and more preferably at least about 90%.

[0053] The isolated IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 DNA can be readily modified by nucleotide substitutions, nucleotide deletions, nucleotide insertions, and inversions of short nucleotide stretches. These modifications result in novel DNA sequences which encode these antigens, their derivatives, or proteins having similar physiological, immunogenic, antigenic, or other functional activity. These modified sequences can be used to produce mutant antigens or to enhance expression. Enhanced expression may involve gene amplification, increased transcription, increased translation, and other mechanisms. “Mutant IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3” encompasses a polypeptide otherwise falling within the sequence identity definition of the IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 as set forth above, but having an amino acid sequence which differs from that of IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 as normally found in nature, whether by way of deletion, substitution, or insertion. This generally includes proteins having significant identity with a protein having sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 8, or 10, or the foregoing in association with SEQ ID NO: 12 and as sharing various biological activities, e.g., antigenic or immunogenic, with those sequences, and in preferred embodiments contain most of the natural full length disclosed sequences. Full length sequences will typically be preferred, though truncated versions will also be useful, likewise, genes or proteins found from natural sources are typically most desired. Similar concepts apply to different IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 proteins, particularly those found in various warm blooded animals, e.g., mammals and birds. These descriptions are generally meant to encompass many IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 proteins, not limited to the particular mammalian embodiments specifically discussed.

[0054] IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 mutagenesis can also be conducted by making amino acid insertions or deletions. Substitutions, deletions, insertions, or any combinations may be generated to arrive at a final construct. Insertions include amino- or carboxy-terminal fusions. Random mutagenesis can be conducted at a target codon and the expressed mutants can then be screened for the desired activity. Methods for making substitution mutations at predetermined sites in DNA having a known sequence are well known in the art, e.g., by M13 primer mutagenesis or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques. See, e.g., Sambrook, et al. (1989); Ausubel, et al. (1987 and Supplements); and Kunkel, et al. (1987) Methods in Enzymol. 154:367-382. Preferred embodiments include, e.g., 1-fold, 2-fold, 3-fold, 5-fold, 7-fold, etc., preferably conservative substitutions at the nucleotide or amino acid levels. Preferably the substitutions will be away from the conserved cysteines, and often will be in the regions away from the helical structural domains. Such variants may be useful to produce specific antibodies, and often will share many or all biological properties.

[0055] The present invention also provides recombinant proteins, e.g., heterologous fusion proteins using segments from these proteins. A heterologous fusion protein is a fusion of proteins or segments which are naturally not normally fused in the same manner. A similar concept applies to heterologous nucleic acid sequences.

[0056] In addition, new constructs may be made from combining similar functional domains from other proteins. For example, target-binding or other segments may be “swapped” between different new fusion polypeptides or fragments. See, e.g., Cunningham, et al. (1989) Science 243:1330-1336; and O'Dowd, et al. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263:15985-15992.

[0057] The phosphoramidite method described by Beaucage and Carruthers (1981) Tetra. Letts. 22:1859-1862, will produce suitable synthetic DNA fragments. A double stranded fragment will often be obtained either by synthesizing the complementary strand and annealing the strand together under appropriate conditions or by adding the complementary strand using DNA polymerase with an appropriate primer sequence, e.g., PCR techniques.

[0058] Structural analysis can be applied to this gene, in comparison to the IL-11 family of cytokines. Alignment of the human IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 sequences with other members of the IL-11 family should allow definition of structural features. In particular, β-sheet and α-helix residues can be determined using, e.g., RASMOL program, see Bazan, et al. (1996) Nature 379:591; Lodi, et al. (1994) Science 263:1762-1766; Sayle and Milner-White (1995) TIBS 20:374-376; and Gronenberg, et al. (1991) Protein Engineering 4:263-269. Preferred residues for substitutions include the surface exposed residues which would be predicted to interact with receptor. Other residues which should conserve function will be conservative substitutions, particularly at position far from the surface exposed residues.

[0059] The above will also be applicable for the IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3/EBI3 composite cytokine where SEQ ID NO: 12 is the polypeptide sequence of EBI3.

[0060] IV. Functional Variants

[0061] The blocking of physiological response to IL-D80 or the IL-D80/EBI3 composite cytokine may result from the competitive inhibition of binding of the ligand to its receptor.

[0062] In vitro assays of the present invention will often use isolated protein, soluble fragments comprising receptor binding segments of these proteins, or fragments attached to solid phase substrates. These assays will also allow for the diagnostic determination of the effects of either binding segment mutations and modifications, or cytokine mutations and modifications, e.g., IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 analogs.

[0063] This invention also contemplates the use of competitive drug screening assays, e.g., where neutralizing antibodies to the cytokine, or receptor binding fragments compete with a test compound.

[0064] “Derivatives” of IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 antigens include amino acid sequence mutants from naturally occurring forms, glycosylation variants, and covalent or aggregate conjugates with other chemical moieties. Covalent derivatives can be prepared by linkage of functionalities to groups which are found in IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 amino acid side chains or at the N- or C-termini, e.g., by standard means. See, e.g., Lundblad and Noyes (1988) Chemical Reagents for Protein Modification, vols. 1-2, CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, Fla.; Hugli (ed. 1989) Techniques in Protein Chemistry, Academic Press, San Diego, Calif.; and Wong (1991) Chemistry of Protein Conjugation and Cross Linking, CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla.

[0065] In particular, glycosylation alterations are included, e.g., made by modifying the glycosylation patterns of a polypeptide during its synthesis and processing, or in further processing steps. See, e.g., Elbein (1987) Ann. Rev. Biochem. 56:497-534. Also embraced are versions of the peptides with the same primary amino acid sequence which have other minor modifications, including phosphorylated amino acid residues, e.g., phosphotyrosine, phosphoserine, or phosphothreonine.

[0066] Fusion polypeptides between IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 and other homologous or heterologous proteins are also provided. Many cytokine receptors or other surface proteins are multimeric, e.g., homodimeric entities, and a repeat construct may have various advantages, including lessened susceptibility to proteolytic cleavage. Typical examples are fusions of a reporter polypeptide, e.g., luciferase, with a segment or domain of a protein, e.g., a receptor-binding segment, so that the presence or location of the fused ligand may be easily determined. See, e.g., Dull, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,859,609. Other gene fusion partners include bacterial β-galactosidase, trpE, Protein A, β-lactamase, alpha amylase, alcohol dehydrogenase, yeast alpha mating factor, and detection or purification tags such as a FLAG sequence of His6 sequence. See, e.g., Godowski, et al. (1988) Science 241:812-816.

[0067] Fusion peptides will typically be made by either recombinant nucleic acid methods or by synthetic polypeptide methods. Techniques for nucleic acid manipulation and expression are described generally, e.g., in Sambrook, et al. (1989) Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (2d ed.), vols. 1-3, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory; and Ausubel, et al. (eds. 1993) Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Greene and Wiley, NY. Techniques for synthesis of polypeptides are described, e.g., in Merrifield (1963) J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 85:2149-2156; Merrifield (1986) Science 232: 341-347; Atherton, et al. (1989) Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis: A Practical Approach, IRL Press, Oxford; and Grant (1992) Synthetic Peptides: A User's Guide, W. H. Freeman, NY. Refolding methods may be applicable to synthetic proteins.

[0068] This invention also contemplates the use of derivatives of IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 proteins other than variations in amino acid sequence or glycosylation. Such derivatives may involve covalent or aggregative association with chemical moieties or protein carriers. Covalent or aggregative derivatives will be useful as immunogens, as reagents in immunoassays, or in purification methods such as for affinity purification of binding partners, e.g., other antigens. An IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 can be immobilized by covalent bonding to a solid support such as cyanogen bromide-activated SEPHAROSE, by methods which are well known in the art, or adsorbed onto polyolefin surfaces, with or without glutaraldehyde cross-linking, for use in the assay or purification of anti-IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 antibodies or an alternative binding composition. The IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 proteins can also be labeled with a detectable group, e.g., for use in diagnostic assays. Purification of IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 or IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3/EBI3 may be effected by an immobilized antibody or complementary binding partner, e.g., binding portion of a receptor.

[0069] A solubilized IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3, or fragments of this invention can be used as an immunogen for the production of antisera or antibodies specific for binding. Purified antigen can be used to screen monoclonal antibodies or antigen-binding fragments, encompassing antigen binding fragments of natural antibodies, e.g., Fab, Fab′, F(ab)₂, etc. Purified IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 antigens can also be used as a reagent to detect antibodies generated in response to the presence of elevated levels of the cytokine, which may be diagnostic of an abnormal or specific physiological or disease condition. This invention contemplates antibodies raised against amino acid sequences encoded by nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 7, or 9, or fragments of proteins containing it. Also contemplated are sequences encoding the IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3/EBI3 composite cytokine, or fragments thereof. In particular, this invention contemplates antibodies having binding affinity to or being raised against specific domains, e.g., helices A, B, C, or D.

[0070] The present invention contemplates the isolation of additional closely related species variants. Southern and Northern blot analysis will establish that similar genetic entities exist in other mammals. It is likely that IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3s are widespread in species variants, e.g., rodents, lagomorphs, carnivores, artiodactyla, perissodactyla, and primates.

[0071] The invention also provides means to isolate a group of related antigens displaying both distinctness and similarities in structure, expression, and function. Elucidation of many of the physiological effects of the molecules will be greatly accelerated by the isolation and characterization of additional distinct species or polymorphic variants of them. In particular, the present invention provides useful probes for identifying additional homologous genetic entities in different species.

[0072] The isolated genes will allow transformation of cells lacking expression of an IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3, e.g., either species types or cells which lack corresponding proteins and exhibit negative background activity. This should allow analysis of the function of IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 in comparison to untransformed control cells.

[0073] Dissection of critical structural elements which effect the various physiological functions mediated through these antigens is possible using standard techniques of modern molecular biology, particularly in comparing members of the related class. See, e.g., the homolog-scanning mutagenesis technique described in Cunningham, et al. (1989) Science 243:1339-1336; and approaches used in O'Dowd, et al. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263:15985-15992; and Lechleiter, et al. (1990) EMBO J. 9:4381-4390.

[0074] Intracellular functions would probably involve receptor signaling. However, protein internalization may occur under certain circumstances, and interaction between intracellular components and cytokine may occur. Specific segments of interaction of IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 with interacting components may be identified by mutagenesis or direct biochemical means, e.g., cross-linking or affinity methods. Structural analysis by crystallographic or other physical methods will also be applicable. Further investigation of the mechanism of signal transduction will include study of associated components which may be isolatable by affinity methods or by genetic means, e.g., complementation analysis of mutants.

[0075] Further study of the expression and control of IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 will be pursued. The controlling elements associated with the antigens should exhibit differential physiological, developmental, tissue specific, or other expression patterns. Upstream or downstream genetic regions, e.g., control elements, are of interest.

[0076] Structural studies of the IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 antigens will lead to design of new antigens, particularly analogs exhibiting agonist or antagonist properties on the molecule. This can be combined with previously described screening methods to isolate antigens exhibiting desired spectra of activities.

[0077] V. Antibodies

[0078] Antibodies can be raised to various epitopes of the IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 proteins, including species, polymorphic, or allelic variants, and fragments thereof, both in their naturally occurring forms and in their recombinant forms. Additionally, antibodies can be raised to IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3s in either their active forms or in their inactive forms, including native or denatured versions. Anti-idiotypic antibodies are also contemplated.

[0079] Antibodies, including binding fragments and single chain versions, against predetermined fragments of the antigens can be raised by immunization of animals with conjugates of the fragments with immunogenic proteins. Monoclonal antibodies are prepared from cells secreting the desired antibody. These antibodies can be screened for binding to normal or defective IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3s, or screened for agonistic or antagonistic activity, e.g., mediated through a receptor. Antibodies may be agonistic or antagonistic, e.g., by sterically blocking binding to a receptor. These monoclonal antibodies will usually bind with at least a K_(D) of about 1 mM, more usually at least about 300 μM, typically at least about 100 μM, more typically at least about 30 μM, preferably at least about 10 μM, and more preferably at least about 3 μM or better.

[0080] An IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 protein that specifically binds to or that is specifically immunoreactive with an antibody generated against a defined immunogen, such as an immunogen consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 8, or 10, or any of the foregoing in association with SEQ ID NO: 12, is typically determined in an immunoassay. The immunoassay typically uses a polyclonal antiserum which was raised, e.g., to a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 8, or 10, or any of the foregoing in association with SEQ ID NO: 12. This antiserum is selected to have low crossreactivity against other IL-11, e.g., human or rodent IL-11, preferably from the same species, and any such crossreactivity is removed by immunoabsorption prior to use in the immunoassay.

[0081] In order to produce antisera for use in an immunoassay, the protein of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 8, or 10, or the foregoing in association with SEQ ID NO: 12, or a combination thereof, is isolated as described herein. For example, recombinant protein may be produced in a mammalian cell line. An appropriate host, e.g., an inbred strain of mice such as Balb/c, is immunized with the selected protein, typically using a standard adjuvant, such as Freund's adjuvant, and a standard mouse immunization protocol (see Harlow and Lane, supra). Alternatively, a synthetic peptide derived from the sequences disclosed herein and conjugated to a carrier protein can be used an immunogen. Polyclonal sera are collected and titered against the immunogen protein in an immunoassay, e.g., a solid phase immunoassay with the immunogen immobilized on a solid support. Polyclonal antisera with a titer of 10⁴ or greater are selected and tested for their cross reactivity against other IL-11 family members, e.g., rodent IL-11, using a competitive binding immunoassay such as the one described in Harlow and Lane, supra, at pages 570-573. Preferably at least one other IL-11 family member is used in this determination in conjunction with, e.g., the primate IL-11. The IL-11 family members can be produced as recombinant proteins and isolated using standard molecular biology and protein chemistry techniques as described herein.

[0082] Immunoassays in the competitive binding format can be used for the crossreactivity determinations. For example, the protein of SEQ ID NO: 2 or 8 can be immobilized to a solid support. Proteins added to the assay compete with the binding of the antisera to the immobilized antigen. The ability of the above proteins to compete with the binding of the antisera to the immobilized protein is compared to the protein of SEQ ID NO: 2 or 8. Similarly, the composite cytokine of SEQ ID NO: 2 or 8 in association with SEQ ID NO: 12 can be used. The percent crossreactivity for the above proteins is calculated, using standard calculations. Those antisera with less than 10% crossreactivity with each of the proteins listed above are selected and pooled. The cross-reacting antibodies are then removed from the pooled antisera by immunoabsorption with the above-listed proteins.

[0083] The immunoabsorbed and pooled antisera are then used in a competitive binding immunoassay as described above to compare a second protein to the immunogen protein (e.g., the IL-11 like protein of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 8, or 10, or any of the foregoing in association with SEQ ID NO: 12). In order to make this comparison, the two proteins are each assayed at a wide range of concentrations and the amount of each protein required to inhibit 50% of the binding of the antisera to the immobilized protein is determined. If the amount of the second protein required is less than twice the amount of the protein of the selected protein or proteins that is required, then the second protein is said to specifically bind to an antibody generated to the immunogen.

[0084] The antibodies of this invention can also be useful in diagnostic applications. As capture or non-neutralizing antibodies, they can be screened for ability to bind to the antigens without inhibiting binding to a receptor. As neutralizing antibodies, they can be useful in competitive binding assays. They will also be useful in detecting or quantifying IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 protein or its receptors, e.g., TCCR (SEQ ID NO: 14). See, e.g., Chan (ed. 1987) Immunology: A Practical Guide, Academic Press, Orlando, Fla.; Price and Newman (eds. 1991) Principles and Practice of Immunoassay, Stockton Press, N.Y.; and Ngo (ed. 1988) Nonisotopic Immunoassay, Plenum Press, N.Y. Cross absorptions, depletions, or other means will provide preparations of defined selectivity, e.g., unique or shared species specificities. These may be the basis for tests which will identify various groups of antigens.

[0085] Further, the antibodies, including antigen binding fragments, of this invention can be potent antagonists that bind to the antigen and inhibit functional binding, e.g., to a receptor which may elicit a biological response. They also can be useful as non-neutralizing antibodies and can be coupled to toxins or radionuclides so that when the antibody binds to antigen, a cell expressing it, e.g., on its surface, is killed. Further, these antibodies can be conjugated to drugs or other therapeutic agents, either directly or indirectly by means of a linker, and may effect drug targeting.

[0086] Antigen fragments may be joined to other materials, particularly polypeptides, as fused or covalently joined polypeptides to be used as immunogens. An antigen and its fragments may be fused or covalently linked to a variety of immunogens, such as keyhole limpet hemocyanin, bovine serum albumin, tetanus toxoid, etc. See Microbiology, Hoeber Medical Division, Harper and Row, 1969; Landsteiner (1962) Specificity of Serological Reactions, Dover Publications, New York; Williams, et al. (1967) Methods in Immunology and Immunochemistry, vol. 1, Academic Press, New York; and Harlow and Lane (1988) Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, CSH Press, NY, for descriptions of methods of preparing polyclonal antisera.

[0087] In some instances, it is desirable to prepare monoclonal antibodies from various mammalian hosts, such as mice, rodents, primates, humans, etc. Description of techniques for preparing such monoclonal antibodies may be found in, e.g., Stites, et al. (eds.) Basic and Clinical Immunology (4th ed.), Lange Medical Publications, Los Altos, Calif., and references cited therein; Harlow and Lane (1988) Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, CSH Press; Goding (1986) Monoclonal Antibodies: Principles and Practice (2d ed.), Academic Press, New York; and particularly in Kohler and Milstein (1975) in Nature 256:495-497, which discusses one method of generating monoclonal antibodies.

[0088] Other suitable techniques involve in vitro exposure of lymphocytes to the antigenic polypeptides or alternatively to selection of libraries of antibodies in phage or similar vectors. See, Huse, et al. (1989) “Generation of a Large Combinatorial Library of the Immunoglobulin Repertoire in Phage Lambda,” Science 246:1275-1281; and Ward, et al. (1989) Nature 341:544-546. The polypeptides and antibodies of the present invention may be used with or without modification, including chimeric or humanized antibodies. Frequently, the polypeptides and antibodies will be labeled by joining, either covalently or non-covalently, a substance which provides for a detectable signal. A wide variety of labels and conjugation techniques are known and are reported extensively in both the scientific and patent literature. Suitable labels include radionuclides, enzymes, substrates, cofactors, inhibitors, fluorescent moieties, chemiluminescent moieties, magnetic particles, and the like. Patents, teaching the use of such labels include U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,817,837; 3,850,752; 3,939,350; 3,996,345; 4,277,437; 4,275,149; and 4,366,241. Also, recombinant immunoglobulins may be produced, see Cabilly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567; Moore, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,642,334; and Queen, et al. (1989) Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 86:10029-10033.

[0089] The antibodies of this invention can also be used for affinity chromatography in isolating the protein. Columns can be prepared where the antibodies are linked to a solid support. See, e.g., Wilchek et al. (1984) Meth. Enzymol. 104:3-55. The converse may be used to purify antibodies.

[0090] Antibodies raised against each IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 will also be useful to raise anti-idiotypic antibodies. These will be useful in detecting or diagnosing various immunological conditions related to expression of the respective antigens.

[0091] VI. Nucleic Acids

[0092] The described peptide sequences and the related reagents are useful in detecting, isolating, or identifying a DNA clone encoding IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3, e.g., from a natural source. Typically, it will be useful in isolating a gene from mammal, and similar procedures will be applied to isolate genes from other species, e.g., warm blooded animals, such as birds and mammals. Cross hybridization will allow isolation of IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 from the same, e.g., polymorphic variants, or other species. A number of different approaches will be available to successfully isolate a suitable nucleic acid clone.

[0093] The purified protein or defined peptides are useful for generating antibodies by standard methods, as described above. Synthetic peptides or purified protein can be presented to an immune system to generate monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies. See, e.g., Coligan (1991) Current Protocols in Immunology Wiley/Greene; and Harlow and Lane (1989) Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Press.

[0094] For example, the specific binding composition could be used for screening of an expression library made from a cell line which expresses an IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3. Screening of intracellular expression can be performed by various staining or immunofluorescence procedures. Binding compositions could be used to affinity purify or sort out cells expressing a surface fusion protein.

[0095] The peptide segments can also be used to predict appropriate oligonucleotides to screen a library. The genetic code can be used to select appropriate oligonucleotides useful as probes for screening. See, e.g., SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 7, or 9, or any of the foregoing in addition to SEQ ID NO: 11. In combination with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques, synthetic oligonucleotides will be useful in selecting correct clones from a library. Complementary sequences will also be used as probes, primers, or antisense strands. Various fragments should be particularly useful, e.g., coupled with anchored vector or poly-A complementary PCR techniques or with complementary DNA of other peptides.

[0096] This invention contemplates use of isolated DNA or fragments to encode an antigenic or biologically active corresponding IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 polypeptide, particularly lacking the portion coding the untranslated 5′ portion of the described sequence. In addition, this invention covers isolated or recombinant DNA which encodes a biologically active protein or polypeptide and which is capable of hybridizing under appropriate conditions with the DNA sequences described herein. Said biologically active protein or polypeptide can be an intact antigen, or fragment, and have an amino acid sequence disclosed in, e.g., SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 8, or 10, or any of the foregoing in association with SEQ ID NO: 12, particularly a mature, secreted polypeptide. Further, this invention covers the use of isolated or recombinant DNA, or fragments thereof, which encode proteins which exhibit high identity to a secreted IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3. The isolated DNA can have the respective regulatory sequences in the 5′ and 3′ flanks, e.g., promoters, enhancers, poly-A addition signals, and others. Alternatively, expression may be effected by operably linking a coding segment to a heterologous promoter, e.g., by inserting a promoter upstream from an endogenous gene.

[0097] An “isolated” nucleic acid is a nucleic acid, e.g., an RNA, DNA, or a mixed polymer, which is substantially separated from other components which naturally accompany a native sequence, e.g., ribosomes, polymerases, and/or flanking genomic sequences from the originating species. The term embraces a nucleic acid sequence which has been removed from its naturally occurring environment, and includes recombinant or cloned DNA isolates and chemically synthesized analogs or analogs biologically synthesized by heterologous systems. A substantially pure molecule includes isolated forms of the molecule. Generally, the nucleic acid will be in a vector or fragment less than about 50 kb, usually less than about 30 kb, typically less than about 10 kb, and preferably less than about 6 kb.

[0098] An isolated nucleic acid will generally be a homogeneous composition of molecules, but will, in some embodiments, contain minor heterogeneity. This heterogeneity is typically found at the polymer ends or portions not critical to a desired biological function or activity.

[0099] A “recombinant” nucleic acid is defined either by its method of production or its structure. In reference to its method of production, e.g., a product made by a process, the process is use of recombinant nucleic acid techniques, e.g., involving human intervention in the nucleotide sequence, typically selection or production. Alternatively, it can be a nucleic acid made by generating a sequence comprising fusion of two fragments which are not naturally contiguous to each other, but is meant to exclude products of nature, e.g., naturally occurring mutants. Thus, e.g., products made by transforming cells with any unnaturally occurring vector is encompassed, as are nucleic acids comprising sequence derived using any synthetic oligonucleotide process. Such is often done to replace a codon with a redundant codon encoding the same or a conservative amino acid, while typically introducing or removing a sequence recognition site.

[0100] Alternatively, it is performed to join together nucleic acid segments of desired functions to generate a single genetic entity comprising a desired combination of functions not found in the commonly available natural forms. Restriction enzyme recognition sites are often the target of such artificial manipulations, but other site specific targets, e.g., promoters, DNA replication sites, regulation sequences, control sequences, or other useful features may be incorporated by design. A similar concept is intended for a recombinant, e.g., fusion, polypeptide. Specifically included are synthetic nucleic acids which, by genetic code redundancy, encode polypeptides similar to fragments of these antigens, and fusions of sequences from various different species or polymorphic variants.

[0101] A significant “fragment” in a nucleic acid context is a contiguous segment of at least about 17 nucleotides, generally at least about 22 nucleotides, ordinarily at least about 29 nucleotides, more often at least about 35 nucleotides, typically at least about 41 nucleotides, usually at least about 47 nucleotides, preferably at least about 55 nucleotides, and in particularly preferred embodiments will be at least about 60 or more nucleotides, e.g., 67, 73, 81, 89, 95, 150, 200, 250, 300, 500, etc.

[0102] A DNA which codes for an IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 protein will be particularly useful to identify genes, mRNA, and cDNA species which code for related or similar proteins, as well as DNAs which code for homologous proteins from different species. There will be homologs in other species, including primates, rodents, canines, felines, birds, and fish. Various IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 proteins should be homologous and are encompassed herein. However, even proteins that have a more distant evolutionary relationship to the antigen can readily be isolated under appropriate conditions using these sequences if they are sufficiently homologous. Primate IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 proteins are of particular interest.

[0103] Recombinant clones derived from the genomic sequences, e.g., containing introns, will be useful for transgenic studies, including, e.g., transgenic cells and organisms, and for gene therapy. See, e.g., Goodnow (1992) “Transgenic Animals” in Roitt (ed.) Encyclopedia of Immunology, Academic Press, San Diego, pp. 1502-1504; Travis (1992) Science 256:1392-1394; Kuhn, et al. (1991) Science 254:707-710; Capecchi (1989) Science 244:1288; Robertson (ed. 1987) Teratocarcinomas and Embryonic Stem Cells: A Practical Approach, IRL Press, Oxford; Rosenberg (1992) J. Clinical Oncology 10:180-199; and Cournoyer and Caskey (1993) Ann. Rev. Immunol. 11:297-329. Alternatively, expression may be effected by operably linking a coding segment to a heterologous promoter, e.g., by inserting a promoter upstream from an endogenous gene. See, e.g., Treco, et al. WO96/29411 or U.S. Ser. No. 08/406,030.

[0104] Substantial homology, e.g., identity, in the nucleic acid sequence comparison context means either that the segments, or their complementary strands, when compared, are identical when optimally aligned, with appropriate nucleotide insertions or deletions, in at least about 50% of the nucleotides, generally at least about 58%, ordinarily at least about 65%, often at least about 71%, typically at least about 77%, usually at least about 85%, preferably at least about 95 to 98% or more, and in particular embodiments, as high as about 99% or more of the nucleotides. Alternatively, substantial homology exists when the segments will hybridize under selective hybridization conditions, to a strand, or its complement, typically using a sequence of IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3, e.g., in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 7, or 9, or any of the foregoing in association with SEQ ID NO: 11. Typically, selective hybridization will occur when there is at least about 55% identity over a stretch of at least about 30 nucleotides, preferably at least about 75% over a stretch of about 25 nucleotides, and most preferably at least about 90% over about 20 nucleotides. See, Kanehisa (1984) Nuc. Acids Res. 12:203-213. The length of identity comparison, as described, may be over longer stretches, and in certain embodiments will be over a stretch of at least about 17 nucleotides, usually at least about 28 nucleotides, typically at least about 40 nucleotides, and preferably at least about 75 to 100 or more nucleotides.

[0105] Stringent conditions, in referring to homology in the hybridization context, will be stringent combined conditions of salt, temperature, organic solvents, and other parameters, typically those controlled in hybridization reactions. Stringent temperature conditions will usually include temperatures in excess of about 30° C., usually in excess of about 37° C., typically in excess of about 55° C., 60° C., or 65° C., and preferably in excess of about 70° C. Stringent salt conditions will ordinarily be less than about 1000 mM, usually less than about 400 mM, typically less than about 250 mM, preferably less than about 150 mM, including about 100, 50, or even 20 mM. However, the combination of parameters is much more important than the measure of any single parameter. See, e.g., Wetmur and Davidson (1968) J. Mol. Biol. 31:349-370. Hybridization under stringent conditions should give a background of at least 2-fold over background, preferably at least 3-5 or more.

[0106] For sequence comparison, typically one sequence acts as a reference sequence, to which test sequences are compared. When using a sequence comparison algorithm, test and reference sequences are input into a computer, subsequence coordinates are designated, if necessary, and sequence algorithm program parameters are designated. The sequence comparison algorithm then calculates the percent sequence identity for the test sequence(s) relative to the reference sequence, based on the designated program parameters.

[0107] Optical alignment of sequences for comparison can be conducted, e.g., by the local homology algorithm of Smith and Waterman (1981) Adv. Appl. Math. 2:482, by the homology alignment algorithm of Needleman and Wunsch (1970) J. Mol. Biol. 48:443, by the search for similarity method of Pearson and Lipman (1988) Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 85:2444, by computerized implementations of these algorithms (GAP, BESTFIT, FASTA, and TFASTA in the Wisconsin Genetics Software Package, Genetics Computer Group, 575 Science Dr., Madison, Wis.), or by visual inspection (see generally Ausubel et al., supra).

[0108] One example of a useful algorithm is PILEUP. PILEUP creates a multiple sequence alignment from a group of related sequences using progressive, pairwise alignments to show relationship and percent sequence identity. It also plots a tree or dendrogram showing the clustering relationships used to create the alignment. PILEUP uses a simplification of the progressive alignment method of Feng and Doolittle (1987) J. Mol. Evol. 35:351-360. The method used is similar to the method described by Higgins and Sharp (1989) CABIOS 5:151-153. The program can align up to 300 sequences, each of a maximum length of 5,000 nucleotides or amino acids. The multiple alignment procedure begins with the pairwise alignment of the two most similar sequences, producing a cluster of two aligned sequences. This cluster is then aligned to the next most related sequence or cluster of aligned sequences. Two clusters of sequences are aligned by a simple extension of the pairwise alignment of two individual sequences. The final alignment is achieved by a series of progressive, pairwise alignments. The program is run by designating specific sequences and their amino acid or nucleotide coordinates for regions of sequence comparison and by designating the program parameters. For example, a reference sequence can be compared to other test sequences to determine the percent sequence identity relationship using the following parameters: default gap weight (3.00), default gap length weight (0.10), and weighted end gaps.

[0109] Another example of algorithm that is suitable for determining percent sequence identity and sequence similarity is the BLAST algorithm, which is described Altschul, et al. (1990) J. Mol. Biol. 215:403-410. Software for performing BLAST analyses is publicly available through the National Center for Biotechnology Information (http:www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/). This algorithm involves first identifying high scoring sequence pairs (HSPs) by identifying short words of length W in the query sequence, which either match or satisfy some positive-valued threshold score T when aligned with a word of the same length in a database sequence. T is referred to as the neighborhood word score threshold (Altschul, et al., supra). These initial neighborhood word hits act as seeds for initiating searches to find longer HSPs containing them. The word hits are then extended in both directions along each sequence for as far as the cumulative alignment score can be increased. Extension of the word hits in each direction are halted when: the cumulative alignment score falls off by the quantity X from its maximum achieved value; the cumulative score goes to zero or below, due to the accumulation of one or more negative-scoring residue alignments; or the end of either sequence is reached. The BLAST algorithm parameters W, T, and X determine the sensitivity and speed of the alignment. The BLAST program uses as defaults a wordlength (W) of 11, the BLOSUM62 scoring matrix (see Henikoff and Henikoff (1989) Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 89:10915) alignments (B) of 50, expectation (E) of 10, M=5, N=4, and a comparison of both strands.

[0110] In addition to calculating percent sequence identity, the BLAST algorithm also performs a statistical analysis of the similarity between two sequences (see, e.g., Karlin and Altschul (1993) Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 90:5873-5787). One measure of similarity provided by the BLAST algorithm is the smallest sum probability (P(N)), which provides an indication of the probability by which a match between two nucleotide or amino acid sequences would occur by chance. For example, a nucleic acid is considered similar to a reference sequence if the smallest sum probability in a comparison of the test nucleic acid to the reference nucleic acid is less than about 0.1, more preferably less than about 0.01, and most preferably less than about 0.001.

[0111] A further indication that two nucleic acid sequences of polypeptides are substantially identical is that the polypeptide encoded by the first nucleic acid is immunologically cross reactive with the polypeptide encoded by the second nucleic acid, as described below. Thus, a polypeptide is typically substantially identical to a second polypeptide, for example, where the two peptides differ only by conservative substitutions. Another indication that two nucleic acid sequences are substantially identical is that the two molecules hybridize to each other under stringent conditions, as described below.

[0112] IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 from other mammalian species can be cloned and isolated by cross-species hybridization of closely related species. Homology may be relatively low between distantly related species, and thus hybridization of relatively closely related species is advisable. Alternatively, preparation of an antibody preparation which exhibits less species specificity may be useful in expression cloning approaches.

[0113] VII. Making IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3; Mimetics

[0114] DNA which encodes the IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 or fragments thereof can be obtained by chemical synthesis, screening cDNA libraries, or screening genomic libraries prepared from a wide variety of cell lines or tissue samples. See, e.g., Okayama and Berg (1982) Mol. Cell. Biol. 2:161-170; Gubler and Hoffman (1983) Gene 25:263-269; and Glover (ed. 1984) DNA Cloning: A Practical Approach, IRL Press, Oxford. Alternatively, the sequences provided herein provide useful PCR primers or allow synthetic or other preparation of suitable genes encoding an IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3; including naturally occurring embodiments.

[0115] This DNA can be expressed in a wide variety of host cells for the synthesis of a full-length IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 or fragments which can in turn, e.g., be used to generate polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies; for binding studies; for construction and expression of modified molecules; and for structure/function studies. There may be a need for a chaparone protein for efficient secretion, or additional steps may be necessary to retrieve the protein from the intracellular compartment.

[0116] Vectors, as used herein, comprise plasmids, viruses, bacteriophage, integratable DNA fragments, and other vehicles which enable the integration of DNA fragments into the genome of the host. See, e.g., Pouwels, et al. (1985 and Supplements) Cloning Vectors: A Laboratory Manual, Elsevier, N.Y.; and Rodriguez, et al. (eds. 1988) Vectors: A Survey of Molecular Cloning Vectors and Their Uses, Buttersworth, Boston, Mass.

[0117] For purposes of this invention, DNA sequences are operably linked when they are functionally related to each other. For example, DNA for a presequence or secretory leader is operably linked to a polypeptide if it is expressed as a preprotein or participates in directing the polypeptide to the cell membrane or in secretion of the polypeptide. A promoter is operably linked to a coding sequence if it controls the transcription of the polypeptide; a ribosome binding site is operably linked to a coding sequence if it is positioned to permit translation. Usually, operably linked means contiguous and in reading frame, however, certain genetic elements such as repressor genes are not contiguously linked but still bind to operator sequences that in turn control expression. See, e.g., Rodriguez, et al., Chapter 10, pp. 205-236; Balbas and Bolivar (1990) Methods in Enzymology 185:14-37; and Ausubel, et al. (1993) Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Greene and Wiley, NY.

[0118] Representative examples of suitable expression vectors include pCDNA1; pCD, see Okayama, et al. (1985) Mol. Cell Biol. 5:1136-1142; pMC1neo Poly-A, see Thomas, et al. (1987) Cell 51:503-512; and a baculovirus vector such as pAC 373 or pAC 610. See, e.g., Miller (1988) Ann. Rev. Microbiol. 42:177-199.

[0119] It will often be desired to express an IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 polypeptide in a system which provides a specific or defined glycosylation pattern. See, e.g., Luckow and Summers (1988) Bio/Technology 6:47-55; and Kaufman (1990) Meth. Enzymol. 185:487-511.

[0120] The IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3, or a fragment thereof, may be engineered to be phosphatidyl inositol (PI) linked to a cell membrane, but can be removed from membranes by treatment with a phosphatidyl inositol cleaving enzyme, e.g., phosphatidyl inositol phospholipase-C. This releases the antigen in a biologically active form, and allows purification by standard procedures of protein chemistry. See, e.g., Low (1989) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 988:427-454; Tse, et al. (1985) Science 230:1003-1008; and Brunner, et al. (1991) J. Cell Biol. 114:1275-1283.

[0121] Now that the IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 has been characterized, fragments or derivatives thereof can be prepared by conventional processes for synthesizing peptides. These include processes such as are described in Stewart and Young (1984) Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis, Pierce Chemical Co., Rockford, Ill.; Bodanszky and Bodanszky (1984) The Practice of Peptide Synthesis, Springer-Verlag, N.Y.; Bodanszky (1984) The Principles of Peptide Synthesis, Springer-Verlag, N.Y.; and Villafranca (ed. 1991) Techniques in Protein Chemistry II, Academic Press, San Diego, Calif.

[0122] VIII. Uses

[0123] The present invention provides reagents which will find use in diagnostic applications as described elsewhere herein, e.g., in IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 mediated conditions, or below in the description of kits for diagnosis. The gene may be useful in forensic sciences, e.g., to distinguish rodent from human, or as a marker to distinguish between different cells exhibiting differential expression or modification patterns.

[0124] This invention also provides reagents with significant commercial and/or therapeutic potential. The IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 (naturally occurring or recombinant), fragments thereof, and antibodies thereto, along with compounds identified as having binding affinity to IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3, should be useful as reagents for teaching techniques of molecular biology, immunology, or physiology. Appropriate kits may be prepared with the reagents, e.g., in practical laboratory exercises in production or use of proteins, antibodies, cloning methods, histology, etc.

[0125] The reagents will also be useful in the treatment of conditions associated with abnormal physiology or development, including inflammatory conditions. They may be useful in vitro tests for presence or absence of interacting components, which may correlate with success of particular treatment strategies. In particular, modulation of physiology of various, e.g., hematopoietic or lymphoid, cells will be achieved by appropriate methods for treatment using the compositions provided herein. See, e.g., Thomson (ed. 1998) The Cytokine Handbook (3d ed.) Academic Press, San Diego; Metcalf and Nicola (1995) The Hematopoietic Colony Stimulating Factors Cambridge University Press; and Aggarwal and Gutterman (1991) Human Cytokines Blackwell Pub.

[0126] For example, a disease or disorder associated with abnormal expression or abnormal signaling by an IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 should be a likely target for an agonist or antagonist. Similarly, the binding partner of the IL-D80/EBI3 composite cytokine, TCCR, should also be a target. The new cytokine should play a role in regulation or development of hematopoietic cells, e.g., lymphoid cells, which affect immunological responses, e.g., inflammation and/or autoimmune disorders. Alternatively, it may affect vascular physiology or development, or neuronal effects.

[0127] In particular, the cytokine should mediate, in various contexts, cytokine synthesis by the cells, proliferation, etc. Antagonists of IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3, such as mutein variants of a naturally occurring form of IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 or blocking antibodies, may provide a selective and powerful way to block immune responses, e.g., in situations as inflammatory or autoimmune responses. See also Samter, et al. (eds.) Immunological Diseases vols. 1 and 2, Little, Brown and Co.

[0128] Various abnormal conditions are known in different cell types which will produce IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3, e.g., as evaluated by mRNA expression by Northern blot analysis. See Berkow (ed.) The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, Merck & Co., Rahway, N.J.; Thorn, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, McGraw-Hill, N.Y.; and Weatherall, et al. (eds.) Oxford Textbook of Medicine, Oxford University Press, Oxford. Many other medical conditions and diseases involve activation by macrophages or monocytes, and many of these will be responsive to treatment by an agonist or antagonist provided herein. See, e.g., Stites and Terr (eds.; 1991) Basic and Clinical Immunology Appleton and Lange, Norwalk, Connecticut; and Samter, et al. (eds.) Immunological Diseases Little, Brown and Co. These problems should be susceptible to prevention or treatment using compositions provided herein.

[0129] IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3, antagonists, antibodies, etc., can be purified and then administered to a patient, veterinary or human. These reagents can be combined for therapeutic use with additional active or inert ingredients, e.g., in conventional pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or diluents, e.g., immunogenic adjuvants, along with physiologically innocuous stabilizers, excipients, or preservatives. These combinations can be sterile filtered and placed into dosage forms as by lyophilization in dosage vials or storage in stabilized aqueous preparations. This invention also contemplates use of antibodies or binding fragments thereof, including forms which are not complement binding.

[0130] Drug screening using IL-D80, IL-D80/EBI3, TCCR or fragments thereof can be performed to identify compounds having binding affinity to or other relevant biological effects on IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 functions, including isolation of associated components. Subsequent biological assays can then be utilized to determine if the compound has intrinsic stimulating activity and is therefore a blocker or antagonist in that it blocks the activity of the cytokine. Likewise, a compound having intrinsic stimulating activity can activate the signal pathway and is thus an agonist in that it simulates the activity of IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3. This invention further contemplates the therapeutic use of blocking antibodies to IL-D80, IL-D80/EBI3, or TCCR as antagonists and of stimulatory antibodies as agonists. This approach should be particularly useful with other IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 species variants.

[0131] The quantities of reagents necessary for effective therapy will depend upon many different factors, including means of administration, target site, physiological state of the patient, and other medicants administered. Thus, treatment dosages should be titrated to optimize safety and efficacy. Typically, dosages used in vitro may provide useful guidance in the amounts useful for in situ administration of these reagents. Animal testing of effective doses for treatment of particular disorders will provide further predictive indication of human dosage. Various considerations are described, e.g., in Gilman, et al. (eds.) Goodman and Gilman's: The Pharmacological Bases of Therapeutics, latest Ed., Pergamon Press; and Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, latest ed., Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Penn. Methods for administration are discussed therein and below, e.g., for oral, intravenous, intraperitoneal, or intramuscular administration, transdermal diffusion, and others. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers will include water, saline, buffers, and other compounds described, e.g., in the Merck Index, Merck & Co., Rahway, N.J. Dosage ranges would ordinarily be expected to be in amounts lower than 1 mM concentrations, typically less than about 10 μM concentrations, usually less than about 100 nM, preferably less than about 10 μM (picomolar), and most preferably less than about 1 fM (femtomolar), with an appropriate carrier. Slow release formulations, or a slow release apparatus will often be utilized for continuous or long term administration. See, e.g., Langer (1990) Science 249:1527-1533.

[0132] IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3, fragments thereof, and antibodies to it or its fragments, antagonists, and agonists, may be administered directly to the host to be treated or, depending on the size of the compounds, it may be desirable to conjugate them to carrier proteins such as ovalbumin or serum albumin prior to their administration. Therapeutic formulations may be administered in many conventional dosage formulations. While it is possible for the active ingredient to be administered alone, it is preferable to present it as a pharmaceutical formulation. Formulations typically comprise at least one active ingredient, as defined above, together with one or more acceptable carriers thereof Each carrier should be both pharmaceutically and physiologically acceptable in the sense of being compatible with the other ingredients and not injurious to the patient. Formulations include those suitable for oral, rectal, nasal, topical, or parenteral (including subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous and intradermal) administration. The formulations may conveniently be presented in unit dosage form and may be prepared by any methods well known in the art of pharmacy. See, e.g., Gilman, et al. (eds. 1990) Goodman and Gilman's: The Pharmacological Bases of Therapeutics, 8th Ed., Pergamon Press; and Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 17th ed. (1990), Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Penn.; Avis, et al. (eds. 1993) Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms: Parenteral Medications, Dekker, N.Y.; Lieberman, et al. (eds. 1990) Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms: Tablets, Dekker, N.Y.; and Lieberman, et al. (eds. 1990) Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms: Disperse Systems, Dekker, N.Y. The therapy of this invention may be combined with or used in association with other agents, e.g., other cytokines, including IL-11, or its antagonists.

[0133] Both naturally occurring and recombinant forms of the IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3s of this invention are particularly useful in kits and assay methods which are capable of screening compounds for binding activity to the proteins. Several methods of automating assays have been developed in recent years so as to permit screening of tens of thousands of compounds in a short period. See, e.g., Fodor, et al. (1991) Science 251:767-773, which describes means for testing of binding affinity by a plurality of defined polymers synthesized on a solid substrate. The development of suitable assays can be greatly facilitated by the availability of large amounts of purified, soluble IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 as provided by this invention.

[0134] Other methods can be used to determine the critical residues in IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 receptor interactions. Mutational analysis can be performed, e.g., see Somoza, et al. (1993) J. Exptl. Med. 178:549-558, to determine specific residues critical in the interaction and/or signaling. PHD (Rost and Sander (1994) Proteins 19:55-72) and DSC (King and Sternberg (1996) Protein Sci. 5:2298-2310) can provide secondary structure predictions of α-helix (H), β-strand (E), or coil (L). Helices A and D are most important in receptor interaction, with the D helix the more important region. Boundaries for the various helices are indicated above. Surface exposed residues would affect receptor binding, while embedded residues would affect general structure.

[0135] For example, antagonists can normally be found once the antigen has been structurally defined, e.g., by tertiary structure data. Testing of potential interacting analogs is now possible upon the development of highly automated assay methods using a purified IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3. In particular, new agonists and antagonists will be discovered by using screening techniques described herein. Of particular importance are compounds found to have a combined binding affinity for a spectrum of IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 molecules, e.g., compounds which can serve as antagonists for species variants of IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3.

[0136] One method of drug screening utilizes eukaryotic or prokaryotic host cells which are stably transformed with recombinant DNA molecules expressing an IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3. Cells may be isolated which express an IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 in isolation from other molecules. Such cells, either in viable or fixed form, can be used for standard binding partner binding assays. See also, Parce, et al. (1989) Science 246:243-247; and Owicki, et al. (1990) Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 87:4007-4011, which describe sensitive methods to detect cellular responses.

[0137] Another technique for drug screening involves an approach which provides high throughput screening for compounds having suitable binding affinity to an IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 and is described in detail in Geysen, European Patent Application 84/03564, published on Sep. 13, 1984. First, large numbers of different small peptide test compounds are synthesized on a solid substrate, e.g., plastic pins or some other appropriate surface, see Fodor, et al. (1991). Then all the pins are reacted with solubilized, unpurified or solubilized, purified IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3, and washed. The next step involves detecting bound IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3.

[0138] Rational drug design may also be based upon structural studies of the molecular shapes of the IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 and other effectors or analogs. Effectors may be other proteins which mediate other functions in response to binding, or other proteins which normally interact with IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3, e.g., a receptor. One means for determining which sites interact with specific other proteins is a physical structure determination, e.g., x-ray crystallography or 2 dimensional NMR techniques. These will provide guidance as to which amino acid residues form molecular contact regions, as modeled, e.g., against other cytokine-receptor models. For a detailed description of protein structural determination, see, e.g., Blundell and Johnson (1976) Protein Crystallography, Academic Press, New York.

[0139] IX. Kits

[0140] This invention also contemplates use of IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 proteins, fragments thereof, peptides, and their fusion products in a variety of diagnostic kits and methods for detecting the presence of another IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 or binding partner. Typically the kit will have a compartment containing either a defined IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 peptide or gene segment or a reagent which recognizes one or the other, e.g., IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 fragments or antibodies.

[0141] A kit for determining the binding affinity of a test compound to an IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 would typically comprise a test compound; a labeled compound, for example a binding partner or antibody having known binding affinity for IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3; a source of IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 (naturally occurring or recombinant); and a means for separating bound from free labeled compound, such as a solid phase for immobilizing the molecule. Once compounds are screened, those having suitable binding affinity to the antigen can be evaluated in suitable biological assays, as are well known in the art, to determine whether they act as agonists or antagonists to the IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 signaling pathway. The availability of recombinant IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 polypeptides also provide well defined standards for calibrating such assays.

[0142] A preferred kit for determining the concentration of, e.g., an IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 in a sample would typically comprise a labeled compound, e.g., binding partner or antibody, having known binding affinity for the antigen, a source of cytokine (naturally occurring or recombinant) and a means for separating the bound from free labeled compound, e.g., a solid phase for immobilizing the IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3. Compartments containing reagents, and instructions, will normally be provided.

[0143] Antibodies, including antigen binding fragments, specific for the IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 or fragments are useful in diagnostic applications to detect the presence of elevated levels of IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 and/or its fragments. Such diagnostic assays can employ lysates, live cells, fixed cells, immunofluorescence, cell cultures, body fluids, and further can involve the detection of antigens related to the antigen in serum, or the like. Diagnostic assays may be homogeneous (without a separation step between free reagent and antigen-binding partner complex) or heterogeneous (with a separation step). Various commercial assays exist, such as radioimmunoassay (RIA), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), enzyme immunoassay (EIA), enzyme-multiplied immunoassay technique (EMIT), substrate-labeled fluorescent immunoassay (SLFIA), and the like. See, e.g., Van Vunakis, et al. (1980) Meth Enzymol. 70:1-525; Harlow and Lane (1980) Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, CSH Press, NY; and Coligan, et al. (eds. 1993) Current Protocols in Immunology, Greene and Wiley, NY.

[0144] Anti-idiotypic antibodies may have similar use to diagnose presence of antibodies against an IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3, as such may be diagnostic of various abnormal states. For example, overproduction of IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 may result in production of various immunological reactions which may be diagnostic of abnormal physiological states, particularly in proliferative cell conditions such as cancer or abnormal activation or differentiation. Moreover, the distribution pattern available provides information that the cytokine is expressed in pancreatic islets, suggesting the possibility that the cytokine may be involved in function of that organ, e.g., in a diabetes relevant medical condition.

[0145] Frequently, the reagents for diagnostic assays are supplied in kits, so as to optimize the sensitivity of the assay. For the subject invention, depending upon the nature of the assay, the protocol, and the label, either labeled or unlabeled antibody or binding partner, or labeled IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 is provided. This is usually in conjunction with other additives, such as buffers, stabilizers, materials necessary for signal production such as substrates for enzymes, and the like. Preferably, the kit will also contain instructions for proper use and disposal of the contents after use. Typically the kit has compartments for each useful reagent. Desirably, the reagents are provided as a dry lyophilized powder, where the reagents may be reconstituted in an aqueous medium providing appropriate concentrations of reagents for performing the assay.

[0146] Many of the aforementioned constituents of the drug screening and the diagnostic assays may be used without modification or may be modified in a variety of ways. For example, labeling may be achieved by covalently or non-covalently joining a moiety which directly or indirectly provides a detectable signal. In any of these assays, the binding partner, test compound, IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3, or antibodies thereto can be labeled either directly or indirectly. Possibilities for direct labeling include label groups: radiolabels such as ¹²⁵I, enzymes (U.S. Pat. No. 3,645,090) such as peroxidase and alkaline phosphatase, and fluorescent labels (U.S. Pat. No. 3,940,475) capable of monitoring the change in fluorescence intensity, wavelength shift, or fluorescence polarization. Possibilities for indirect labeling include biotinylation of one constituent followed by binding to avidin coupled to one of the above label groups.

[0147] There are also numerous methods of separating the bound from the free IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3, or alternatively the bound from the free test compound. The IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 can be immobilized on various matrixes followed by washing. Suitable matrixes include plastic such as an ELISA plate, filters, and beads. See, e.g., Coligan, et al. (eds. 1993) Current Protocols in Immunology, Vol. 1, Chapter 2, Greene and Wiley, NY. Other suitable separation techniques include, without limitation, the fluorescein antibody magnetizable particle method described in Rattle, et al. (1984) Clin. Chem. 30:1457-1461, and the double antibody magnetic particle separation as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,659,678.

[0148] Methods for linking proteins or their fragments to the various labels have been extensively reported in the literature and do not require detailed discussion here. Many of the techniques involve the use of activated carboxyl groups either through the use of carbodiimide or active esters to form peptide bonds, the formation of thioethers by reaction of a mercapto group with an activated halogen such as chloroacetyl, or an activated olefin such as maleimide, for linkage, or the like. Fusion proteins will also find use in these applications.

[0149] Another diagnostic aspect of this invention involves use of oligonucleotide or polynucleotide sequences taken from the sequence of an IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3. These sequences can be used as probes for detecting levels of the IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 message in samples from patients suspected of having an abnormal condition, e.g., inflammatory or autoimmune. Since the cytokine may be a marker or mediator for activation, it may be useful to determine the numbers of activated cells to determine, e.g., when additional therapy may be called for, e.g., in a preventative fashion before the effects become and progress to significance. The preparation of both RNA and DNA nucleotide sequences, the labeling of the sequences, and the preferred size of the sequences has received ample description and discussion in the literature. See, e.g., Langer-Safer, et al. (1982) Proc. Nat'l. Acad. Sci. 79:4381-4385; Caskey (1987) Science 236:962-967; and Wilchek et al. (1988) Anal. Biochem. 171:1-32.

[0150] Diagnostic kits which also test for the qualitative or quantitative expression of other molecules are also contemplated. Diagnosis or prognosis may depend on the combination of multiple indications used as markers. Thus, kits may test for combinations of markers. See, e.g., Viallet, et al. (1989) Progress in Growth Factor Res. 1:89-97. Other kits may be used to evaluate other cell subsets.

[0151] X. Isolating an IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 Receptor

[0152] Having isolated a ligand of a specific ligand-receptor interaction, methods exist for isolating the receptor. See, Gearing, et al. (1989) EMBO J. 8:3667-3676. For example, means to label the IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 cytokine without interfering with the binding to its receptor can be determined. For example, an affinity label can be fused to either the amino- or carboxyl-terminus of the ligand. Such label may be a FLAG epitope tag, or, e.g., an Ig or Fc domain. An expression library can be screened for specific binding of the cytokine, e.g., by cell sorting, or other screening to detect subpopulations which express such a binding component. See, e.g., Ho, et al. (1993) Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 90:11267-11271; and Liu, et al. (1994) J. Immunol. 152:1821-29. Alternatively, a panning method may be used. See, e.g., Seed and Aruffo (1987) Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 84:3365-3369.

[0153] Protein cross-linking techniques with label can be applied to isolate binding partners of the IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 cytokine. This would allow identification of proteins which specifically interact with the cytokine, e.g., in a ligand-receptor like manner. It has been shown, as noted below, that the IL-D80/EBI3 composite cytokine binds at least to an IL-12R-like subunit known as TCCR.

[0154] FACS analysis of detectably stained IL-D80, EBI3, and TCCR molecules led to the finding that these molecules are components in a receptor subunit/ligand complex.

[0155] Specifically, the composite cytokine of E-tagged hIL-D80 (hIL-D80E) and F-tagged (Flag-tagged) hEBI3 (FhEBI3) binds to Baf3 cells expressing an F-tagged version of TCCR, also referred to as hNR30. The cells were stained using anti-E mAb and a PE-conjugated anti-mouse Fab₂ fragment. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments also indicated that hIL-D80/EBI3 could be immunoprecipitated with R-tagged (RGSH₆-tagged) soluble TCCR (shNR30R). Alternatively, shNR30R could be co-immunoprecipated in the presence of hIL-D80E/FhEBI3 complex using anti-E or anti-F mAbs. These experiments establish that TCCR is a receptor component of the IL-D80/EBI3 composite cytokine. Recent evidence shows that disrupting the TCCR gene in mice results in lowered expression of IFNγ, which is a critical cytokine in the mediation of pro-inflammatory functions. These mice were unable to mount a Th1 response (See, e.g., Chen, et al. (2000) Nature 407:916-920.)

[0156] Experimental data indicates a possible role for the IL-D80/EBI3 composite cytokine in driving an inflammatory response. The expression profile of EBI3 and IL-D80 overlaps in monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells, indicating that the composite cytokine is primarily produced by antigent presenting cells (APCs) of the immune system. EBI3 has been shown to be upregulated in colonic tissue of patients suffering from gut inflammation disorders, e.g., ulcerative colitis, suggesting that the composite cytokine may also be involved.

[0157] Taken together the above indicates a role for the composite cytokine and its associated receptor subunit TCCR in inflammatory responses. Therefore antagonizing the function of any of the components in the receptor subunit:ligand complex should have a beneficial effect in inflammatory diseases, e.g., inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.

EXAMPLES

[0158] I. General Methods

[0159] Many of the standard methods below are described or referenced, e.g., in Maniatis, et al. (1982) Molecular Cloning. A Laboratory Manual Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor Press, NY; Sambrook, et al. (1989) Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (2d ed.) Vols. 1-3, CSH Press, NY; Ausubel, et al., Biology Greene Publishing Associates, Brooklyn, N.Y.; or Ausubel, et al. (1987 and Supplements) Current Protocols in Molecular Biology Wiley/Greene, NY; Innis, et al. (eds. 1990) PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and Applications Academic Press, NY. Methods for protein purification include such methods as ammonium sulfate precipitation, column chromatography, electrophoresis, centrifugation, crystallization, and others. See, e.g., Ausubel, et al. (1987 and periodic supplements); Deutscher (1990) “Guide to Protein Purification,” Methods in Enzymology vol. 182, and other volumes in this series; Coligan, et al. (1995 and supplements) Current Protocols in Protein Science John Wiley and Sons, New York, N.Y.; P. Matsudaira (ed. 1993) A Practical Guide to Protein and Peptide Purification for Microsequencing, Academic Press, San Diego, Calif.; and manufacturer's literature on use of protein purification products, e.g., Pharmacia, Piscataway, N.J., or Bio-Rad, Richmond, Calif. Combination with recombinant techniques allow fusion to appropriate segments (epitope tags), e.g., to a FLAG sequence or an equivalent which can be fused, e.g., via a protease-removable sequence. See, e.g., Hochuli (1989) Chemische Industrie 12:69-70; Hochuli (1990) “Purification of Recombinant Proteins with Metal Chelate Absorbent” in Setlow (ed.) Genetic Engineering, Principle and Methods 12:87-98, Plenum Press, NY; and Crowe, et al. (1992) QIAexpress: The High Level Expression & Protein Purification System QUIAGEN, Inc., Chatsworth, Calif.

[0160] Standard immunological techniques are described, e.g., in Hertzenberg, et al. (eds. 1996) Weir's Handbook of Experimental Immunology vols. 1-4, Blackwell Science; Coligan (1991) Current Protocols in Immunology Wiley/Greene, NY; and Methods in Enzymology vols. 70, 73, 74, 84, 92, 93, 108, 116, 121, 132, 150, 162, and 163. Cytokine assays are described, e.g., in Thomson (ed. 1998) The Cytokine Handbook (3d ed.) Academic Press, San Diego; Mire-Sluis and Thorpe (1998) Cytokines Academic Press, San Diego; Metcalf and Nicola (1995) The Hematopoietic Colony Stimulating Factors Cambridge University Press; and Aggarwal and Gutterman (1991) Human Cytokines Blackwell Pub.

[0161] Assays for vascular biological activities are well known in the art. They will cover angiogenic and angiostatic activities in tumor, or other tissues, e.g., arterial smooth muscle proliferation (see, e.g., Koyoma, et al. (1996) Cell 87:1069-1078), monocyte adhesion to vascular epithelium (see McEvoy, et al. (1997) J. Exp. Med. 185:2069-2077), etc. See also Ross (1993) Nature 362:801-809; Rekhter and Gordon (1995) Am. J. Pathol. 147:668-677; Thyberg, et al. (1990) Atherosclerosis 10:966-990; and Gumbiner (1996) Cell 84:345-357.

[0162] Assays for neural cell biological activities are described, e.g., in Wouterlood (ed. 1995) Neuroscience Protocols modules 10, Elsevier; Methods in Neurosciences Academic Press; and Neuromethods Humana Press, Totowa, N.J. Methodology of developmental systems is described, e.g., in Meisami (ed.) Handbook of Human Growth and Developmental Biology CRC Press; and Chrispeels (ed.) Molecular Techniques and Approaches in Developmental Biology Interscience.

[0163] FACS analyses are described in Melamed, et al. (1990) Flow Cytometry and Sorting Wiley-Liss, Inc., New York, N.Y.; Shapiro (1988) Practical Flow Cytometry Liss, New York, N.Y.; and Robinson, et al. (1993) Handbook of Flow Cytometry Methods Wiley-Liss, New York, N.Y.

[0164] II. Cloning of Human IL-D80

[0165] The sequences of primate, e.g., human, genes are provided in Seq ID NO: 1 and 3. These sequences are derived from a sequence database. These sequences allow preparation of PCR primers, or probes, to determine cellular distribution of the gene. These sequences allow isolation of genomic DNA which encode the message.

[0166] Using the probe or PCR primers, various tissues or cell types are probed to determine cellular distribution. PCR products are cloned using, e.g., a TA cloning kit (Invitrogen). The resulting cDNA plasmids are sequenced from both termini on an automated sequencer (Applied Biosystems).

[0167] III. Cellular Expression of IL-D8 or IL-D80/EBI30

[0168] An appropriate probe or primers specific for cDNA encoding primate IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 are prepared. Typically, the probe is labeled, e.g., by random priming.

[0169] Southern Analysis: DNA (5 μg) from a primary amplified cDNA library was digested with appropriate restriction enzymes to release the inserts, run on a 1% agarose gel and transferred to a nylon membrane (Schleicher and Schuell, Keene, N.H.).

[0170] Samples for human mRNA isolation may include: peripheral blood mononuclear cells (monocytes, T cells, NK cells, granulocytes, B cells), resting (T100); peripheral blood mononuclear cells, activated with anti-CD3 for 2, 6, 12 h pooled (T101); T cell, THO clone Mot 72, resting (T102); T cell, THO clone Mot 72, activated with anti-CD28 and anti-CD3 for 3, 6, 12 h pooled (T103); T cell, THO clone Mot 72, anergic treated with specific peptide for 2, 7, 12 h pooled (T104); T cell, TH1 clone HY06, resting (T107); T cell, TH1 clone HY06, activated with anti-CD28 and anti-CD3 for 3, 6, 12 h pooled (T108); T cell, TH1 clone HY06, anergic treated with specific peptide for 2, 6, 12 h pooled (T109); T cell, TH2 clone HY935, resting (T110); T cell, TH2 clone HY935, activated with anti-CD28 and anti-CD3 for 2, 7, 12 h pooled (T111); T cell tumor lines Jurkat and Hut78, resting (T117); T cell clones, pooled AD130.2, Tc783.12, Tc783.13, Tc783.58, Tc782.69, resting (T118); T cell random γδT cell clones, resting (T119); CD28-T cell clone; Splenocytes, resting (B100); Splenocytes, activated with anti-CD40 and IL-4 (B101); B cell EBV lines pooled WT49, RSB, JY, CVIR, 721.221, RM3, HSY, resting (B102); B cell line JY, activated with PMA and ionomycin for 1, 6 h pooled (B103); NK 20 clones pooled, resting (K100); NK 20 clones pooled, activated with PMA and ionomycin for 6 h (K101); NKL clone, derived from peripheral blood of LGL leukemia patient, IL-2 treated (K106); hematopoietic precursor line TF1, activated with PMA and ionomycin for 1, 6 h pooled (C100); U937 premonocytic line, resting (M100); U937 premonocytic line, activated with PMA and ionomycin for 1, 6 h pooled (M101); elutriated monocytes, activated with LPS, IFNγ, anti-IL-10 for 1, 2, 6, 12, 24 h pooled (M102); elutriated monocytes, activated with LPS, IFNγ, IL-10 for 1, 2, 6, 12, 24 h pooled (M103); elutriated monocytes, activated with LPS, IFNγ, anti-IL-10 for 4, 16 h pooled (M106); elutriated monocytes, activated with LPS, IFNγ, IL-10 for 4, 16 h pooled (M107); elutriated monocytes, activated LPS for 1 h (M108); elutriated monocytes, activated LPS for 6 h (M109); DC 70% CD1a+, from CD34+ GM-CSF, TNF 12 days, resting (D101); DC 70% CD1a+, from CD34+ GM-CSF, TNF 12 days, activated with PMA and ionomycin for 1 hr (D102); DC 70% CD1a+, from CD34+ GM-CSF, TNF 12 days, activated with PMA and ionomycin for 6 hr (D103); DC 95% CD1a+, from CD34+ GM-CSF, TNF 12 days FACS sorted, activated with PMA and ionomycin for 1, 6 h pooled (D104); DC 95% CD14+, ex CD34+ GM-CSF, TNF 12 days FACS sorted, activated with PMA and ionomycin 1, 6 hr pooled (D105); DC CD1a+ CD86+, from CD34+ GM-CSF, TNFα 12 days FACS sorted, activated with PMA and ionomycin for 1, 6 h pooled (D106); DC from monocytes GM-CSF, IL-4 5 days, resting (D107); DC from monocytes GM-CSF, IL-4 5 days, resting (D108); DC from monocytes GM-CSF, IL-4 5 days, activated LPS 4, 16 h pooled (D109); DC from monocytes GM-CSF, IL-4 5 days, activated TNFα, monocyte supe for 4, 16 h pooled (D10); epithelial cells, unstimulated; epithelial cells, IL-1 p activated; lung fibroblast sarcoma line MRC5, activated with PMA and ionomycin for 1, 6 h pooled (C101); kidney epithelial carcinoma cell line CHA, activated with PMA and ionomycin for 1, 6 h pooled (C102).

[0171] A rodent counterpart, e.g., mouse, has been identified, and its distributions will be similarly evaluated. Samples for mouse mRNA isolation can include: resting mouse fibroblastic L cell line (C200); Braf:ER (Braf fusion to estrogen receptor) transfected cells, control (C201); Mel14+ naive T cells from spleen, resting (T209); Mel14+ naive T cells from spleen, stimulated with IFN, IL-12, and anti IL-4 to polarize to TH1 cells, exposed to IFNγ and IL-4 for 6, 12, 24 h, pooled (T210); Mel14+ naive T cells from spleen, stimulated with IL-4 and anti IFNγ to polarize to Th2 cells, exposed to IL-4 and anti IFNγ for 6, 13, 24 h, pooled (T211); T cells, TH1 polarized (Mel14 bright, CD4+cells from spleen, polarized for 7 days with IFN- and anti IL-4; T200); T cells, TH2 polarized (Mel14 bright, CD4+ cells from spleen, polarized for 7 days with IL-4 and anti-IFN-; T201); T cells, highly TH1 polarized 3× from transgenic Balb/C (see Openshaw, et al. (1995) J. Exp. Med. 182:1357-1367; activated with anti-CD3 for 2, 6, 24 h pooled;

[0172] T202); T cells, highly TH2 polarized 3× from transgenic Balb/C (activated with anti-CD3 for 2, 6, 24 h pooled (T203); T cells, highly TH1 polarized 3× from transgenic C57 bl/6 (activated with anti-CD3 for 2, 6, 24 h pooled; T212); T cells, highly TH2 polarized 3× from transgenic C57 bl/6 (activated with anti-CD3 for 2, 6, 24 h pooled; T213); T cells, highly TH1 polarized (naive CD4+ T cells from transgenic Balb/C, polarized 3× with IFN, IL-12, and anti-IL-4; stimulated with IGIF, IL-12, and anti IL-4 for 6, 12, 24 h, pooled); CD44— CD25+ pre T cells, sorted from thymus (T204); TH1 T cell clone D1.1, resting for 3 weeks after last stimulation with antigen (T205); TH1 T cell clone D1.1, 10 g/ml ConA stimulated 15 h (T206); TH2 T cell clone CDC35, resting for 3 weeks after last stimulation with antigen (T207); TH2 T cell clone CDC35, 10 g/ml ConA stimulated 15 h (T208); unstimulated B cell line CH12 (B201); unstimulated mature B cell leukemia cell line A20 (13200); unstimulated large B cells from spleen (B202); B cells from total spleen, LPS activated (B203); metrizamide enriched dendritic cells from spleen, resting (D200); dendritic cells from bone marrow, resting (D201); unstimulated bone marrow derived dendritic cells depleted with anti B220, anti CD3, and anti Class II, cultured in GM-CSF and IL-4 (D202); bone marrow derived dendritic cells depleted with anti B220, anti CD3, and anti Class II, cultured in GM-CSF and IL-4, stimulated with anti CD40 for 1, 5 d, pooled (D203); monocyte cell line RAW 264.7 activated with LPS 4 h (M200); bone-marrow macrophages derived with GM and M-CSF (M201); bone-marrow macrophages derived with GM-CSF, stimulated with LPS, IFN , and IL-10 for 24 h (M205); bone-marrow macrophages derived with GM-CSF, stimulated with LPS, IFN, and anti IL-10 for 24 h (M206); peritoneal macrophages (M207); macrophage cell line J774, resting (M202); macrophage cell line J774+LPS+anti-IL-10 at 0.5, 1, 3, 6, 12 h pooled (M203); macrophage cell line J774+LPS+IL-10 at 0.5, 1, 3, 5, 12 h pooled (M204); unstimulated mast cell lines MC-9 and MCP-12 (M208); immortalized endothelial cell line derived from brain microvascular endothelial cells, unstimulated (E200); immortalized endothelial cell line derived from brain microvascular endothelial cells, stimulated overnight with TNFα (E201); immortalized endothelial cell line derived from brain microvascular endothelial cells, stimulated overnight with TNFα (E202); immortalized endothelial cell line derived from brain microvascular endothelial cells, stimulated overnight with TNFα and IL-10 (E203); total aorta from wt C57 bl/6 mouse; total aorta from 5 month ApoE KO mouse (X207); total aorta from 12 month ApoE KO mouse (X207); wt thymus (O214); total thymus, rag-1 (O208); total kidney, rag-1 (O209); total kidney, NZ B/W mouse; and total heart, rag-1 (O202). High signal was detected in the monocyte cell line RAW 264.7 activated with LPS 4 h (M200); T cells, highly TH1 polarized 3× from transgenic C57 bl/6 (activated with anti-CD3 for 2, 6, 24 h pooled; T212); and T cells, highly TH1 polarized (naive CD4+ T cells from transgenic Balb/C, polarized 3× with IFNγ, IL-12, and anti-IL-4; stimulated with IGIF, IL-12, and anti IL-4 for 6, 12, 24 h, pooled).

[0173] IV. Chromosome Mapping of IL-D80

[0174] An isolated cDNA encoding the IL-D80 is used. Chromosome mapping is a standard technique. See, e.g., BIOS Laboratories (New Haven, Conn.) and methods for using a mouse somatic cell hybrid panel with PCR.

[0175] V. Purification of IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 Proteins

[0176] Multiple transfected cell lines are screened for one which expresses the cytokine at a high level compared with other cells. Various cell lines are screened and selected for their favorable properties in handling. Natural IL-D80 can be isolated from natural sources, or by expression from a transformed cell using an appropriate expression vector. Purification of the expressed protein is achieved by standard procedures, or may be combined with engineered means for effective purification at high efficiency from cell lysates or supernatants. FLAG or His₆ segments can be used for such purification features. Alternatively, affinity chromatography may be used with specific antibodies, see below.

[0177] Protein is produced in coli, insect cell, or mammalian expression systems, as desired. An IL-D80 construct was perpared with an epitope tag extension, e.g., FLAG. The construct was transiently expressed in 293 cells and purified from supernatant using tag immunoaffinity column techniques. Highly purified protein resulted.

[0178] VI. Isolation of Homologous IL-D80 Genes

[0179] The IL-D80 cDNA, or other species counterpart sequence, can be used as a hybridization probe to screen a library from a desired source, e.g., a primate cell cDNA library. Many different species can be screened both for stringency necessary for easy hybridization, and for presence using a probe. Appropriate hybridization conditions will be used to select for clones exhibiting specificity of cross hybridization.

[0180] Screening by hybridization using degenerate probes based upon the peptide sequences will also allow isolation of appropriate clones. Alternatively, use of appropriate primers for PCR screening will yield enrichment of appropriate nucleic acid clones.

[0181] Similar methods are applicable to isolate either species, polymorphic, or allelic variants. Species variants are isolated using cross-species hybridization techniques based upon isolation of a full length isolate or fragment from one species as a probe.

[0182] Alternatively, antibodies raised against human IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 will be used to screen for cells which express cross-reactive proteins from an appropriate, e.g., cDNA library. The purified protein or defined peptides are useful for generating antibodies by standard methods, as described above. Synthetic peptides or purified protein are presented to an immune system to generate monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies. See, e.g., Coligan (1991) Current Protocols in Immunology Wiley/Greene; and Harlow and Lane (1989) Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual Cold Spring Harbor Press. The resulting antibodies are used for screening, purification, or diagnosis, as described.

[0183] VII. Preparation of Antibodies Specific for IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3

[0184] Synthetic peptides or purified protein are presented to an immune system to generate monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies. See, e.g., Coligan (1991) Current Protocols in Immunology Wiley/Greene; and Harlow and Lane (1989) Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual Cold Spring Harbor Press. Polyclonal serum, or hybridomas may be prepared. In appropriate situations, the binding reagent is either labeled as described above, e.g., fluorescence or otherwise, or immobilized to a substrate for panning methods. Immunoselection, absorptions, and related techniques are available to prepare selective reagents, e.g., exhibiting the desired spectrum of selectivity for binding.

[0185] VIII. Evaluation of Breadth of Biological Functions

[0186] Biological activities of IL-D80 are tested, based, in part, on the sequence and structural homology between IL-D80 and IL-11. Initially, assays that show biological activities of IL-11 are examined. See, e.g., Jacobsen (1998) in Thomson The Cytokine Handbook Academic Press.

[0187] A. Effects on Proliferation/Differentiation of Progenitor Cells

[0188] The effect on proliferation or differentiation of various cell types are evaluated with various concentrations of cytokine. A dose response analysis is performed, in certain cases in combination with other cytokines, e.g., those which synergize with the related cytokine IL-11. These include, e.g., IL-1, IL-4, IL-6, IL-12, LIF, G-CSF, M-CSF, GM-CSF, IL-3, TPO, Kit ligand, or Flt ligand.

[0189] In particular, IL-11 exhibits synergistic activities on stem cells. The IL-D80 will be tested on cord blood cells to see if it has effects on proliferation or differentiation of early progenitor cells derived therefrom. Preferably, the cells are early precursor cells, e.g., stem cells, originating from, e.g., cord blood, bone marrow, thymus, spleen, or CD34+progenitor cells. The cytokine will be tested for effects on myeloid and/or erythroid precursors, including B cell precursors.

[0190] B. Effects of IL-D80 on Proliferation of Megakaryocytes

[0191] Total PBMC are isolated from buffy coats of normal healthy donors by centrifugation through ficoll-hypaque as described (Boyum, et al.). PBMC are cultured in 200 μl Yssel's medium (Gemini Bioproducts, Calabasas, Calif.) containing 1% human AB serum in 96 well plates (Falcon, Becton-Dickinson, N.J.) in the absence or presence of IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3, alone or in combination with other cytokines. Cells are cultured in medium alone or in combination with 100 U/ml IL-2 (R&D Systems) for 120 hours. 3H-Thymidine (0.1 mCi) is added during the last six hours of culture and 3H-Thymidine incorporation determined by liquid scintillation counting.

[0192] The native, recombinant, and fusion proteins would be tested for agonist and antagonist activity in many other biological assay systems, e.g., on T-cells, B-cells, NK, macrophages, dendritic cells, hematopoietic progenitors, etc.

[0193] IL-D80 is evaluated for agonist or antagonist activity on transfected cells expressing IL-11 receptor and controls.

[0194] IL-D80 is evaluated for effects, alone or in combination with other cytokines, in macrophage/dendritic cell activation and antigen presentation assays, T cell cytokine production and proliferation in response to antigen or allogeneic stimulus. See, e.g., de Waal Malefyt et al. (1991) J. Exp. Med. 174:1209-1220; de Waal Malefyt et al. (1991) J. Exp. Med. 174:915-924; Fiorentino, et al. (1991) J. Immunol. 147, 3815-3822; Fiorentino, et al. (1991) J. Immunol. 146:3444-3451; and Groux, et al. (1996) J. Exp. Med. 184:19-29.

[0195] IL-D80 will also be evaluated for effects on NK cell stimulation. Assays may be based, e.g., on Hsu, et al. (1992) Internat. Immunol. 4:563-569; and Schwarz, et al. (1994) J. Immunother. 16:95-104. Other assays are applied to evaluate effects on cytotoxic T cells and LAK cells. See, e.g., Namien and Mire-Sluis (1998).

[0196] B cell growth and differentiation effects will be analyzed, e.g., by the methodology described, e.g., in Defrance, et al. (1992). J. Exp. Med. 175:671-682; Rousset, et al. (1992) Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 89:1890-1893; including IgG2 and IgA2 switch factor assays. Note that, unlike COS7 supernatants, NIH3T3 and COP supernatants apparently do not interfere with human B cell assays.

[0197] C. Effects on the Expression of Cell Surface Molecules on Human Monocytes

[0198] Monocytes are purified by negative selection from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of normal healthy donors. Briefly, 3×10⁸ ficoll banded mononuclear cells are incubated on ice with a cocktail of monoclonal antibodies (Becton-Dickinson; Mountain View, Calif.) consisting, e.g., of 200 μl of αCD2 (Leu-5A), 200 μl of αCD3 (Leu-4), 100 μl of αCD8 (Leu 2a), 100 μl of αCD19 (Leu-12), 100 μl of αCD20 (Leu-16), 100 μl of αCD56 (Leu-19), 100 μl of αCD67 (IOM 67; Immunotech, Westbrook, Me.), and anti-glycophorin antibody (10F7MN, ATCC, Rockville, Md.). Antibody bound cells are washed and then incubated with sheep anti-mouse IgG coupled magnetic beads (Dynal, Oslo, Norway) at a bead to cell ratio of 20:1. Antibody bound cells are separated from monocytes by application of a magnetic field. Subsequently, human monocytes are cultured in Yssel's medium (Gemini Bioproducts, Calabasas, Calif.) containing 1% human AB serum in the absence or presence of IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3, alone or in combination with other cytokines.

[0199] Analyses of the expression of cell surface molecules can be performed by direct immunofluorescence. For example, 2×10⁵ purified human monocytes are incubated in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) containing 1% human serum on ice for 20 minutes. Cells are pelleted at 200×g. Cells are resuspended in 20 ml PE or FITC labeled mAb. Following an additional 20 minute incubation on ice, cells are washed in PBS containing 1% human serum followed by two washes in PBS alone. Cells are fixed in PBS containing 1% paraformaldehyde and analyzed on FACScan flow cytometer (Becton Dickinson; Mountain View, Calif.). Exemplary mAbs are used, e.g.: CD11b (anti-mac1), CD11c (anti-gp150/95), CD14 (Leu-M3), CD54 (Leu 54), CD80 (anti-BB1/B7), HLA-DR (L243) from Becton-Dickinson and CD86 (FUN 1; Pharmingen), CD64 (32.2; Medarex), CD40 (mAb89; Schering-Plough France).

[0200] D. Effects of IL-D80 on Cytokine Production by Human Monocytes

[0201] Human monocytes are isolated as described and cultured in Yssel's medium (Gemini Bioproducts, Calabasas, Calif.) containing 1% human AB serum in the absence or presence of IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 (1/100 dilution baculovirus expressed material). In addition, monocytes are stimulated with LPS (E. coli 0127:B8 Difco) in the absence or presence of IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 and the concentration of cytokines (IL-1α, IL-6, TNFα, GM-CSF, and IL-i 0) in the cell culture supernatant determined by ELISA.

[0202] For intracytoplasmic staining for cytokines, monocytes are cultured (1 million/ml) in Yssel's medium in the absence or presence of IL-D80 and LPS (E. coli 0127:B8 Difco) and 10 mg/ml Brefeldin A (Epicentre technologies Madison Wis.) for 12 hrs. Cells are washed in PBS and incubated in 2% formaldehyde/PBS solution for 20 minutes at RT. Subsequently cells are washed, resuspended in permeabilization buffer (0.5% saponin (Sigma) in PBS/BSA (0.5%) /Azide (1 mM)) and incubated for 20 minutes at RT. Cells (2×10⁵) are centrifuged and resuspended in 20 ml directly conjugated anti-cytokine mAbs diluted 1:10 in permeabilization buffer for 20 minutes at RT. The following antibodies can be used: IL-1α-PE (364-3B3-14); IL-6-PE (MQ2-13A5); TNFα-PE (MAb11); GM-CSF-PE (BVD2-21C11); and IL-12-PE (C11.5.14; Pharmingen San Diego, Calif.). Subsequently, cells are washed twice in permeabilization buffer and once in PBS/BSA/Azide and analyzed on FACScan flow cytometer (Becton Dickinson; Mountain View, Calif.).

[0203] Additional assays will be tested in the areas of bone remodeling, chondriocytes, neurons, adipocytes, gastrointestinal epithelium, or bronchial epithelium.

[0204] IX. Generation and Analysis of Genetically Altered Animals

[0205] Transgenic mice can be generated by standard methods. Such animals are useful to determine the effects of deletion of the gene, in specific tissues, or completely throughout the organism. Such may provide interesting insight into development of the animal or particular tissues in various stages. Moreover, the effect on various responses to biological stress can be evaluated. See, e.g., Hogan, et al. (1995) Manipulating the Mouse Embryo: A Laboratory Manual (2d ed.) Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.

[0206] X. Transient Transfection, Metabolic Labeling, and Immunoprecipitation

[0207] Appropriate host cells were transiently transfected with empty vectors or expression vectors encoding hIL-D80E (E=E-tagged) and/or FhEBI3 (F=Flag-tagged). Cells were cultured to 24 hrs. and then metabolically labeled for 16 hrs with 50 μCi/ml PRO-MIX L-[³⁵S] in vitro cell labeling mix (Amersham Pharmacia) in cysteine/methionine free MEM cell culture media. Proteins were precipitated from 300 mL supernatant with either the anti-His5 mAb or anti-E or anti-F mAb. The IL-12R like subunit, TCCR, was also detectably labeled with RGSH₆-tag (shNR30R) and immunoprecipated as above.

[0208] XI. 2D-PAGE

[0209] Purified labeled IL-D80/EBI3 composite cytokine or IL-D80/EBI3/TCCR complex were run on a nonreducing 10% NUPAGE gel in MES running buffer (Novex). Appropriate lanes were excised, reduced in sample buffer containing DTT, laid horizontally on two-well 10% gels, and run reduced in a second dimension. One gel was silver stained (Daiichi) while the other was blotted to a PVDF membrane and developed using appropriate mAbs. It was found that hIL-80E could be co-immunoprecipitated with shNR30R in the presence of FhEBI3 using the anti-His₆ mAb. Alternatively, shNR30R could be immunoprecipated in the presence of hIL-80E and FhEBI3 using the anti-E mAb or anti-F mAb.

[0210] All references cited herein are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

[0211] Many modifications and variations of this invention can be made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The specific embodiments described herein are offered by way of example only, and the invention is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

1 14 1 1213 DNA Homo sapiens 1 cactggccca cgctgaagat aggggacttg agttccagtc ttccttctgc taccgaccgg 60 ctttgtgacc ttgaacaaga cttcccctcc ctgattccat cctcatgtca catctgaagc 120 ctccaacttc tgtcactgag ctcaggattc ccaggcaagc ccacggagtg ccccacaggg 180 tcagagccgt aacaggactt ggaaaataac ccgaaaattg ggctcagcct gttgctgctt 240 cccttgctcc tggttcaagc tggtgtctgg ggattcccaa ggcccccagg gaggccccag 300 ctgagcctgc aggagctgcg gagggagttc acagtcagcc tgcatctcgc caggaagctg 360 ctctccgagg ttcggggcca ggcccaccgc tttgcggaat ctcacctgcc aggagtgaac 420 ctgtacctcc tgcccctggg agagcagctc cctgatgttt ccctgacctt ccaggcctgg 480 cgccgcctct ctgacccgga gcgtctctgc ttcatctcca ccacgcttca gcccttccat 540 gccccgctgg gagggctggg gacccagggc cgctggacca acatggagag gatgcagctg 600 tgggccatga ggctggacct ccgcgatctg cagcggcacc tccgcttcca ggtgctggct 660 gcaggattca acctcccgga ggaggaggag gaggaagagg aggaggagga ggaggagagg 720 aaggggctgc tcccaggggc actgggcagc gccttacagg gcccggccca ggtgtcctgg 780 ccccagctcc tctccaccta ccgcctgctg cactccttgg agctcgtctt atctcgggcc 840 gtgcgggagt tgctgctgct gtccaaggct gggcactcag tctggccctt ggggttccca 900 acattgagcc cccagccctg atcggtggct tcttagcccc ctgcccccca ccctttagaa 960 ctttaggact ggagtcttgg catcagggca gccttcgcat catcagcctt ggacaaggga 1020 gggctcttcc agccccctgc cccaggccct acccagtaac tgaaagcccc tctggtcctc 1080 gccagctatt tatttcttgg atatttattt attgtttagg gagatgatgg tttatttatt 1140 gtcttggggc ccgatggtcc tcctcgggcc aagcccccat gctgggtgcc caataaagca 1200 ctctcatcca aaa 1213 2 242 PRT Homo sapiens 2 Gln Asp Leu Glu Asn Asn Pro Lys Ile Gly Leu Ser Leu Leu Leu Leu 1 5 10 15 Pro Leu Leu Leu Val Gln Ala Gly Val Trp Gly Phe Pro Arg Pro Pro 20 25 30 Gly Arg Pro Gln Leu Ser Leu Gln Glu Leu Arg Arg Glu Phe Thr Val 35 40 45 Ser Leu His Leu Ala Arg Lys Leu Leu Ser Glu Val Arg Gly Gln Ala 50 55 60 His Arg Phe Ala Glu Ser His Leu Pro Gly Val Asn Leu Tyr Leu Leu 65 70 75 80 Pro Leu Gly Glu Gln Leu Pro Asp Val Ser Leu Thr Phe Gln Ala Trp 85 90 95 Arg Arg Leu Ser Asp Pro Glu Arg Leu Cys Phe Ile Ser Thr Thr Leu 100 105 110 Gln Pro Phe His Ala Pro Leu Gly Gly Leu Gly Thr Gln Gly Arg Trp 115 120 125 Thr Asn Met Glu Arg Met Gln Leu Trp Ala Met Arg Leu Asp Leu Arg 130 135 140 Asp Leu Gln Arg His Leu Arg Phe Gln Val Leu Ala Ala Gly Phe Asn 145 150 155 160 Leu Pro Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Arg 165 170 175 Lys Gly Leu Leu Pro Gly Ala Leu Gly Ser Ala Leu Gln Gly Pro Ala 180 185 190 Gln Val Ser Trp Pro Gln Leu Leu Ser Thr Tyr Arg Leu Leu His Ser 195 200 205 Leu Glu Leu Val Leu Ser Arg Ala Val Arg Glu Leu Leu Leu Leu Ser 210 215 220 Lys Ala Gly His Ser Val Trp Pro Leu Gly Phe Pro Thr Leu Ser Pro 225 230 235 240 Gln Pro 3 1098 DNA Mus musculus misc_feature (7)..(7) n is a, t, g, or c. 3 nccaagntgg tacgcctgca ggtaccggtc cggaattccc gggtcgaccc acgcgtccgg 60 ggccaggtga caggagacct tggctggcga ggactggaca ggcaacctgg ccaggagcag 120 gactaaacag acaaatgaag agtgtagagg gaagaggctg agaaccgagg acagtcagag 180 gaacggcaca ggggagctgg gctcagcctg ttgctgctac ccttgcttct ggtacaagct 240 ggttcctggg ggttcccaac agaccccctg agccttcaag agctgcgcag ggaattcaca 300 gtcagcctgt accttgccag gaagctgctc tctgaggttc agggctatgt ccacagcttt 360 gctgaatctc gattgccagg agtgaacctg gacctcctgc ccctgggata ccatcttcct 420 aatgtttccc tgactttcca ggcatggcat cacctctctg actctgagag actctgcttc 480 ctcgctacca cacttcggcc cttccttgcc atgctgggag ggctggggac ccaggggacc 540 tggaccaaca tcaagaggat gcagcaatgg agactctctc tggttcttga tgtggccctg 600 tgtgtctttc gctcacaggt gctggctgca ggattcaaat gttcaaagga ggaggaggac 660 aaggaggaag aggaagagga ggaagaagaa gaaaagaagc tgcccctagg gcgtctgggt 720 ggccccaatc aggtgtcatc ccaagtgtcc tggccccagc tgctctatac ctaccagctc 780 cttcactcca tggagcttgt cctgtctcgg gctgttcggg acctgctgct gctgtccctg 840 cccaggcgcc caggctcagc cttggagttc ctaacaccta gcttcaagcc ctgatggagt 900 gaccttccag ctccctccct cgcccgttaa gactctaagg ctggagtctg gccaatcaca 960 ggacaggctc tagctcgttt gccttagacc aggcagggtt tcactagctc ccagccctga 1020 cccaataatt taaaagccct ccagtcctta ccagatattt atttcttgga tatttattta 1080 tttttaagaa atggttta 1098 4 231 PRT Mus musculus 4 Gly Leu Ser Leu Leu Leu Leu Pro Leu Leu Leu Val Gln Ala Gly Ser 1 5 10 15 Trp Gly Phe Pro Thr Asp Pro Leu Ser Leu Gln Glu Leu Arg Arg Glu 20 25 30 Phe Thr Val Ser Leu Tyr Leu Ala Arg Lys Leu Leu Ser Glu Val Gln 35 40 45 Gly Tyr Val His Ser Phe Ala Glu Ser Arg Leu Pro Gly Val Asn Leu 50 55 60 Asp Leu Leu Pro Leu Gly Tyr His Leu Pro Asn Val Ser Leu Thr Phe 65 70 75 80 Gln Ala Trp His His Leu Ser Asp Ser Glu Arg Leu Cys Phe Leu Ala 85 90 95 Thr Thr Leu Arg Pro Phe Leu Ala Met Leu Gly Gly Leu Gly Thr Gln 100 105 110 Gly Thr Trp Thr Asn Ile Lys Arg Met Gln Gln Trp Arg Leu Ser Leu 115 120 125 Val Leu Asp Val Ala Leu Cys Val Phe Arg Ser Gln Val Leu Ala Ala 130 135 140 Gly Phe Lys Cys Ser Lys Glu Glu Glu Asp Lys Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu 145 150 155 160 Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Lys Lys Leu Pro Leu Gly Arg Leu Gly Gly Pro 165 170 175 Asn Gln Val Ser Ser Gln Val Ser Trp Pro Gln Leu Leu Tyr Thr Tyr 180 185 190 Gln Leu Leu His Ser Met Glu Leu Val Leu Ser Arg Ala Val Arg Asp 195 200 205 Leu Leu Leu Leu Ser Leu Pro Arg Arg Pro Gly Ser Ala Leu Glu Phe 210 215 220 Leu Thr Pro Ser Phe Lys Pro 225 230 5 199 PRT Homo sapiens 5 Met Asn Cys Val Cys Arg Leu Val Leu Val Val Leu Ser Leu Trp Pro 1 5 10 15 Asp Thr Ala Val Ala Pro Gly Pro Pro Pro Gly Pro Pro Arg Val Ser 20 25 30 Pro Asp Pro Arg Ala Glu Leu Asp Ser Thr Val Leu Leu Thr Arg Ser 35 40 45 Leu Leu Ala Asp Thr Arg Gln Leu Ala Ala Gln Leu Arg Asp Lys Phe 50 55 60 Pro Ala Asp Gly Asp His Asn Leu Asp Ser Leu Pro Thr Leu Ala Met 65 70 75 80 Ser Ala Gly Ala Leu Gly Ala Leu Gln Leu Pro Gly Val Leu Thr Arg 85 90 95 Leu Arg Ala Asp Leu Leu Ser Tyr Leu Arg His Val Gln Trp Leu Arg 100 105 110 Arg Ala Gly Gly Ser Ser Leu Lys Thr Leu Glu Pro Glu Leu Gly Thr 115 120 125 Leu Gln Ala Arg Leu Asp Arg Leu Leu Arg Arg Leu Gln Leu Leu Met 130 135 140 Ser Arg Leu Ala Leu Pro Gln Pro Pro Pro Asp Pro Pro Ala Pro Pro 145 150 155 160 Leu Ala Pro Pro Ser Ser Ala Trp Gly Gly Ile Arg Ala Ala His Ala 165 170 175 Ile Leu Gly Gly Leu His Leu Thr Leu Asp Trp Ala Val Arg Gly Leu 180 185 190 Leu Leu Leu Lys Thr Arg Leu 195 6 199 PRT Mus musculus 6 Met Asn Cys Val Cys Arg Leu Val Leu Val Val Leu Ser Leu Trp Pro 1 5 10 15 Asp Arg Val Val Ala Pro Gly Pro Pro Ala Gly Ser Pro Arg Val Ser 20 25 30 Ser Asp Pro Arg Ala Asp Leu Asp Ser Ala Val Leu Leu Thr Arg Ser 35 40 45 Leu Leu Ala Asp Thr Arg Gln Leu Ala Ala Gln Met Arg Asp Lys Phe 50 55 60 Pro Ala Asp Gly Asp His Ser Leu Asp Ser Leu Pro Thr Leu Ala Met 65 70 75 80 Ser Ala Gly Thr Leu Gly Ser Leu Gln Leu Pro Gly Val Leu Thr Arg 85 90 95 Leu Arg Val Asp Leu Met Ser Tyr Leu Arg His Val Gln Trp Leu Arg 100 105 110 Arg Ala Gly Gly Pro Ser Leu Lys Thr Leu Glu Pro Glu Leu Gly Ala 115 120 125 Leu Gln Ala Arg Leu Glu Arg Leu Leu Arg Arg Leu Gln Leu Leu Met 130 135 140 Ser Arg Leu Ala Leu Pro Gln Ala Ala Pro Asp Gln Pro Val Ile Pro 145 150 155 160 Leu Gly Pro Pro Ala Ser Ala Trp Gly Ser Ile Arg Ala Ala His Ala 165 170 175 Ile Leu Gly Gly Leu His Leu Thr Leu Asp Trp Ala Val Arg Gly Leu 180 185 190 Leu Leu Leu Lys Thr Arg Leu 195 7 732 DNA Homo sapiens 7 atgggccaga cggcaggcga ccttggctgg cggctcagcc tgttgctgct tcccttgctc 60 ctggttcaag ctggtgtctg gggattccca aggcccccag ggaggcccca gctgagcctg 120 caggagctgc ggagggagtt cacagtcagc ctgcatctcg ccaggaagct gctctccgag 180 gttcggggcc aggcccaccg ctttgcggaa tctcacctgc caggagtgaa cctgtacctc 240 ctgcccctgg gagagcagct ccctgatgtt tccctgacct tccaggcctg gcgccgcctc 300 tctgacccgg agcgtctctg cttcatctcc accacgcttc agcccttcca tgccccgctg 360 ggagggctgg ggacccaggg ccgctggacc aacatggaga ggatgcagct gtgggccatg 420 aggctggacc tccgcgatct gcagcggcac ctccgcttcc aggtgctggc tgcaggattc 480 aacctcccgg aggaggagga ggaggaagag gaggaggagg aggaggagag gaaggggctg 540 ctcccagggg cactgggcag cgccttacag ggcccggccc aggtgtcctg gccccagctc 600 ctctccacct accgcctgct gcactccttg gagctcgtct tatctcgggc cgtgcgggag 660 ttgctgctgc tgtccaaggc tgggcactca gtctggccct tggggttccc aacattgagc 720 ccccagccct ga 732 8 243 PRT Homo sapiens 8 Met Gly Gln Thr Ala Gly Asp Leu Gly Trp Arg Leu Ser Leu Leu Leu 1 5 10 15 Leu Pro Leu Leu Leu Val Gln Ala Gly Val Trp Gly Phe Pro Arg Pro 20 25 30 Pro Gly Arg Pro Gln Leu Ser Leu Gln Glu Leu Arg Arg Glu Phe Thr 35 40 45 Val Ser Leu His Leu Ala Arg Lys Leu Leu Ser Glu Val Arg Gly Gln 50 55 60 Ala His Arg Phe Ala Glu Ser His Leu Pro Gly Val Asn Leu Tyr Leu 65 70 75 80 Leu Pro Leu Gly Glu Gln Leu Pro Asp Val Ser Leu Thr Phe Gln Ala 85 90 95 Trp Arg Arg Leu Ser Asp Pro Glu Arg Leu Cys Phe Ile Ser Thr Thr 100 105 110 Leu Gln Pro Phe His Ala Pro Leu Gly Gly Leu Gly Thr Gln Gly Arg 115 120 125 Trp Thr Asn Met Glu Arg Met Gln Leu Trp Ala Met Arg Leu Asp Leu 130 135 140 Arg Asp Leu Gln Arg His Leu Arg Phe Gln Val Leu Ala Ala Gly Phe 145 150 155 160 Asn Leu Pro Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu 165 170 175 Arg Lys Gly Leu Leu Pro Gly Ala Leu Gly Ser Ala Leu Gln Gly Pro 180 185 190 Ala Gln Val Ser Trp Pro Gln Leu Leu Ser Thr Tyr Arg Leu Leu His 195 200 205 Ser Leu Glu Leu Val Leu Ser Arg Ala Val Arg Glu Leu Leu Leu Leu 210 215 220 Ser Lys Ala Gly His Ser Val Trp Pro Leu Gly Phe Pro Thr Leu Ser 225 230 235 240 Pro Gln Pro 9 991 DNA Mus musculus 9 atgggccaga cggcaggcga ccttggctgg cggctcagcc tgttgctgct acccttgctt 60 ctggtacaag ctggttcctg ggggttccca acagaccccc tgagccttca agagctgcgc 120 agggaattca cagtcagcct gtaccttgcc aggaagctgc tctctgaggt tcagggctat 180 gtccacagct ttgctgaatc tcgattgcca ggagtgaacc tggacctcct gcccctggga 240 taccatcttc ccaatgtttc cctgactttc caggcatggc atcacctctc tgactctgag 300 agactctgct tcctcgctac cacacttcgg cccttccctg ccatgctggg agggctgggg 360 acccagggga cctggaccag ctcagagagg gagcagctgt gggccatgag gctggatctc 420 cgggacctgc acaggcacct ccgctttcag gtgctggctg caggattcaa atgttcaaag 480 gaggaggagg acaaggagga agaggaagag gaggaagaag aagaaaagaa gctgccccta 540 ggggctctgg gtggccccaa tcaggtgtca tcccaagtgt cctggcccca gctgctctat 600 acctaccagc tccttcactc cctggagctt gtcctgtctc gggctgttcg ggacctgctg 660 ctgctgtccc tgcccaggcg cccaggctca gcctgggatt cctaacacct agcttcaagc 720 cctatggagt gaccttccag ctccctccct cgcccgttaa gactctaagg ctggagtctg 780 gccaatcaca ggacaggctc tagctcgttt gccttagacc aggcagggct tcactagctc 840 ccagccctga cccaataatt taaaagccct ccagtcctta ccagatattt atttcttgga 900 tatttattta tttttaagaa atggtttatt tattgtttca ctcttgagtt aggccaccat 960 gctgggtgcc taataaagcc atccagcccg g 991 10 234 PRT Mus musculus 10 Met Gly Gln Thr Ala Gly Asp Leu Gly Trp Arg Leu Ser Leu Leu Leu 1 5 10 15 Leu Pro Leu Leu Leu Val Gln Ala Gly Ser Trp Gly Phe Pro Thr Asp 20 25 30 Pro Leu Ser Leu Gln Glu Leu Arg Arg Glu Phe Thr Val Ser Leu Tyr 35 40 45 Leu Ala Arg Lys Leu Leu Ser Glu Val Gln Gly Tyr Val His Ser Phe 50 55 60 Ala Glu Ser Arg Leu Pro Gly Val Asn Leu Asp Leu Leu Pro Leu Gly 65 70 75 80 Tyr His Leu Pro Asn Val Ser Leu Thr Phe Gln Ala Trp His His Leu 85 90 95 Ser Asp Ser Glu Arg Leu Cys Phe Leu Ala Thr Thr Leu Arg Pro Phe 100 105 110 Pro Ala Met Leu Gly Gly Leu Gly Thr Gln Gly Thr Trp Thr Ser Ser 115 120 125 Glu Arg Glu Gln Leu Trp Ala Met Arg Leu Asp Leu Arg Asp Leu His 130 135 140 Arg His Leu Arg Phe Gln Val Leu Ala Ala Gly Phe Lys Cys Ser Lys 145 150 155 160 Glu Glu Glu Asp Lys Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Lys 165 170 175 Lys Leu Pro Leu Gly Ala Leu Gly Gly Pro Asn Gln Val Ser Ser Gln 180 185 190 Val Ser Trp Pro Gln Leu Leu Tyr Thr Tyr Gln Leu Leu His Ser Leu 195 200 205 Glu Leu Val Leu Ser Arg Ala Val Arg Asp Leu Leu Leu Leu Ser Leu 210 215 220 Pro Arg Arg Pro Gly Ser Ala Trp Asp Ser 225 230 11 1161 DNA Homo sapiens CDS (14)..(703) 11 gaattccgca gcc atg acc ccg cag ctt ctc ctg gcc ctt gtc ctc tgg 49 Met Thr Pro Gln Leu Leu Leu Ala Leu Val Leu Trp 1 5 10 gcc agc tgc ccg ccc tgc agt gga agg aaa ggg ccc cca gca gct ctg 97 Ala Ser Cys Pro Pro Cys Ser Gly Arg Lys Gly Pro Pro Ala Ala Leu 15 20 25 aca ctg ccc cgg gtg caa tgc cga gcc tct cgg tac ccg atc gcc gtg 145 Thr Leu Pro Arg Val Gln Cys Arg Ala Ser Arg Tyr Pro Ile Ala Val 30 35 40 gat tgc tcc tgg acc ctg ccg cct gct cca aac tcc acc agc ccc gtg 193 Asp Cys Ser Trp Thr Leu Pro Pro Ala Pro Asn Ser Thr Ser Pro Val 45 50 55 60 tcc ttc att gcc acg tac agg ctc ggc atg gct gcc cgg ggc cac agc 241 Ser Phe Ile Ala Thr Tyr Arg Leu Gly Met Ala Ala Arg Gly His Ser 65 70 75 tgg ccc tgc ctg cag cag acg cca acg tcc acc agc tgc acc atc acg 289 Trp Pro Cys Leu Gln Gln Thr Pro Thr Ser Thr Ser Cys Thr Ile Thr 80 85 90 gat gtc cag ctg ttc tcc atg gct ccc tac gtg ctc aat gtc acc gcc 337 Asp Val Gln Leu Phe Ser Met Ala Pro Tyr Val Leu Asn Val Thr Ala 95 100 105 gtc cac ccc tgg ggc tcc agc agc agc ttc gtg cct ttc ata aca gag 385 Val His Pro Trp Gly Ser Ser Ser Ser Phe Val Pro Phe Ile Thr Glu 110 115 120 cac atc atc aag ccc gac cct cca gaa ggc gtg cgc cta agc ccc ctc 433 His Ile Ile Lys Pro Asp Pro Pro Glu Gly Val Arg Leu Ser Pro Leu 125 130 135 140 gct gag cgc cac gta cag gtg cag tgg gag cct ccc ggg tcc tgg ccc 481 Ala Glu Arg His Val Gln Val Gln Trp Glu Pro Pro Gly Ser Trp Pro 145 150 155 ttc cca gag atc ttc tca ctg aag tac tgg atc cgt tac aag cgt cag 529 Phe Pro Glu Ile Phe Ser Leu Lys Tyr Trp Ile Arg Tyr Lys Arg Gln 160 165 170 gga gct gcg cgc ttc cac cgg gtg ggg ccc att gaa gcc acg tcc ttc 577 Gly Ala Ala Arg Phe His Arg Val Gly Pro Ile Glu Ala Thr Ser Phe 175 180 185 atc ctc agg gct gtg cgg ccc cga gcc agg tac tac gtc caa gtg gcg 625 Ile Leu Arg Ala Val Arg Pro Arg Ala Arg Tyr Tyr Val Gln Val Ala 190 195 200 gct cag gac ctc aca gac tac ggg gaa ctg agt gac tgg agt ctc ccc 673 Ala Gln Asp Leu Thr Asp Tyr Gly Glu Leu Ser Asp Trp Ser Leu Pro 205 210 215 220 gcc act gcc aca atg agc ctg ggc aag tag caagggcttc ccgctgcctc 723 Ala Thr Ala Thr Met Ser Leu Gly Lys 225 cagacagcac ctgggtcctc gccaccctaa gccccgggac acctgttgga gggcggatgg 783 gatctgccta gcctgggctg gagtccttgc tttgctgctg ctgagctgcc gggcaacctc 843 agatgaccga cttttccctt tgagcctcag tttctctagc tgagaaatgg agatgtacta 903 ctctctcctt tacctttacc tttaccacag tgcagggctg actgaactgt cactgtgaga 963 tattttttat tgtttaatta gaaaagaatt gttgttgggc tgggcgcagt ggatcgcacc 1023 tgtaatccca gtcactggga agccgacgtg ggtgggtagc ttgaggccag gagctcgaaa 1083 ccagtccggg ccacacagca agaccccatc tctaaaaaat taatataaat ataaaataaa 1143 aaaaaaaaaa aggaattc 1161 12 229 PRT Homo sapiens 12 Met Thr Pro Gln Leu Leu Leu Ala Leu Val Leu Trp Ala Ser Cys Pro 1 5 10 15 Pro Cys Ser Gly Arg Lys Gly Pro Pro Ala Ala Leu Thr Leu Pro Arg 20 25 30 Val Gln Cys Arg Ala Ser Arg Tyr Pro Ile Ala Val Asp Cys Ser Trp 35 40 45 Thr Leu Pro Pro Ala Pro Asn Ser Thr Ser Pro Val Ser Phe Ile Ala 50 55 60 Thr Tyr Arg Leu Gly Met Ala Ala Arg Gly His Ser Trp Pro Cys Leu 65 70 75 80 Gln Gln Thr Pro Thr Ser Thr Ser Cys Thr Ile Thr Asp Val Gln Leu 85 90 95 Phe Ser Met Ala Pro Tyr Val Leu Asn Val Thr Ala Val His Pro Trp 100 105 110 Gly Ser Ser Ser Ser Phe Val Pro Phe Ile Thr Glu His Ile Ile Lys 115 120 125 Pro Asp Pro Pro Glu Gly Val Arg Leu Ser Pro Leu Ala Glu Arg His 130 135 140 Val Gln Val Gln Trp Glu Pro Pro Gly Ser Trp Pro Phe Pro Glu Ile 145 150 155 160 Phe Ser Leu Lys Tyr Trp Ile Arg Tyr Lys Arg Gln Gly Ala Ala Arg 165 170 175 Phe His Arg Val Gly Pro Ile Glu Ala Thr Ser Phe Ile Leu Arg Ala 180 185 190 Val Arg Pro Arg Ala Arg Tyr Tyr Val Gln Val Ala Ala Gln Asp Leu 195 200 205 Thr Asp Tyr Gly Glu Leu Ser Asp Trp Ser Leu Pro Ala Thr Ala Thr 210 215 220 Met Ser Leu Gly Lys 225 13 2628 DNA Homo sapiens misc_feature (2433)..(2433) n is a, t, g, or c. 13 gtgggttcgg cttcccgttg cgcctcgggg gctgtaccca gagctcgaag aggagcagcg 60 cggcccgcac ccggcaaggc tgggccggac tcggggctcc cgagggacgc c atg cgg 117 Met Arg 1 gga ggc agg ggc ggc cct ttc tgg ctg tgg ccg ctg ccc aag ctg gcg 165 Gly Gly Arg Gly Gly Pro Phe Trp Leu Trp Pro Leu Pro Lys Leu Ala 5 10 15 ctg ctg cct ctg ttg tgg gtg ctt ttc cag cgg acg cgt ccc cag ggc 213 Leu Leu Pro Leu Leu Trp Val Leu Phe Gln Arg Thr Arg Pro Gln Gly 20 25 30 agc gcc ggg cca ctg cag tgc tac gga gtt gga ccc ttg ggc gac ttg 261 Ser Ala Gly Pro Leu Gln Cys Tyr Gly Val Gly Pro Leu Gly Asp Leu 35 40 45 50 aac tgc tcg tgg gag cct ctt ggg gac ctg gga gcc ccc tcc gag tta 309 Asn Cys Ser Trp Glu Pro Leu Gly Asp Leu Gly Ala Pro Ser Glu Leu 55 60 65 cac ctc cag agc caa aag tac cgt tcc aac aaa acc cag act gtg gca 357 His Leu Gln Ser Gln Lys Tyr Arg Ser Asn Lys Thr Gln Thr Val Ala 70 75 80 gtg gca gcc gga cgg agc tgg gtg gcc att cct cgg gaa cag ctc acc 405 Val Ala Ala Gly Arg Ser Trp Val Ala Ile Pro Arg Glu Gln Leu Thr 85 90 95 atg tct gac aaa ctc ctt gtc tgg ggc act aag gca ggc cag cct ctc 453 Met Ser Asp Lys Leu Leu Val Trp Gly Thr Lys Ala Gly Gln Pro Leu 100 105 110 tgg ccc ccc gtc ttc gtg aac cta gaa acc caa atg aag cca aac gcc 501 Trp Pro Pro Val Phe Val Asn Leu Glu Thr Gln Met Lys Pro Asn Ala 115 120 125 130 ccc cgg ctg ggc cct gac gtg gac ttt tcc gag gat gac ccc ctg gag 549 Pro Arg Leu Gly Pro Asp Val Asp Phe Ser Glu Asp Asp Pro Leu Glu 135 140 145 gcc act gtc cat tgg gcc cca cct aca tgg cca tct cat aaa gtt ctg 597 Ala Thr Val His Trp Ala Pro Pro Thr Trp Pro Ser His Lys Val Leu 150 155 160 atc tgc cag ttc cac tac cga aga tgt cag gag gcg gcc tgg acc ctg 645 Ile Cys Gln Phe His Tyr Arg Arg Cys Gln Glu Ala Ala Trp Thr Leu 165 170 175 ctg gaa ccg gag ctg aag acc ata ccc ctg acc cct gtt gag atc caa 693 Leu Glu Pro Glu Leu Lys Thr Ile Pro Leu Thr Pro Val Glu Ile Gln 180 185 190 gat ttg gag cta gcc act ggc tac aaa gtg tat ggc cgc tgc cgg atg 741 Asp Leu Glu Leu Ala Thr Gly Tyr Lys Val Tyr Gly Arg Cys Arg Met 195 200 205 210 gag aaa gaa gag gat ttg tgg ggc gag tgg agc ccc att ttg tcc ttc 789 Glu Lys Glu Glu Asp Leu Trp Gly Glu Trp Ser Pro Ile Leu Ser Phe 215 220 225 cag aca ccg cct tct gct cca aaa gat gtg tgg gta tca ggg aac ctc 837 Gln Thr Pro Pro Ser Ala Pro Lys Asp Val Trp Val Ser Gly Asn Leu 230 235 240 tgt ggg acg cct gga gga gag gaa cct ttg ctt cta tgg aag gcc cca 885 Cys Gly Thr Pro Gly Gly Glu Glu Pro Leu Leu Leu Trp Lys Ala Pro 245 250 255 ggg ccc tgt gtg cag gtg agc tac aaa gtc tgg ttc tgg gtt gga ggt 933 Gly Pro Cys Val Gln Val Ser Tyr Lys Val Trp Phe Trp Val Gly Gly 260 265 270 cgt gag ctg agt cca gaa gga att acc tgc tgc tgc tcc cta att ccc 981 Arg Glu Leu Ser Pro Glu Gly Ile Thr Cys Cys Cys Ser Leu Ile Pro 275 280 285 290 agt ggg gcg gag tgg gcc agg gtg tcc gct gtc aac gcc aca agc tgg 1029 Ser Gly Ala Glu Trp Ala Arg Val Ser Ala Val Asn Ala Thr Ser Trp 295 300 305 gag cct ctc acc aac ctc tct ttg gtc tgc ttg gat tca gcc tct gcc 1077 Glu Pro Leu Thr Asn Leu Ser Leu Val Cys Leu Asp Ser Ala Ser Ala 310 315 320 ccc cgt agc gtg gca gtc agc agc atc gct ggg agc acg gag cta ctg 1125 Pro Arg Ser Val Ala Val Ser Ser Ile Ala Gly Ser Thr Glu Leu Leu 325 330 335 gtg acc tgg caa ccg ggg cct ggg gaa cca ctg gag cat gta gtg gac 1173 Val Thr Trp Gln Pro Gly Pro Gly Glu Pro Leu Glu His Val Val Asp 340 345 350 tgg gct cga gat ggg gac ccc ctg gag aaa ctc aac tgg gtc cgg ctt 1221 Trp Ala Arg Asp Gly Asp Pro Leu Glu Lys Leu Asn Trp Val Arg Leu 355 360 365 370 ccc cct ggg aac ctc agt gct ctg tta cca ggg aat ttc act gtc ggg 1269 Pro Pro Gly Asn Leu Ser Ala Leu Leu Pro Gly Asn Phe Thr Val Gly 375 380 385 gtc ccc tat cga atc act gtg acc gca gtc tct gct tca ggc ttg gcc 1317 Val Pro Tyr Arg Ile Thr Val Thr Ala Val Ser Ala Ser Gly Leu Ala 390 395 400 tct gca tcc tcc gtc tgg ggg ttc agg gag gaa tta gca ccc cta gtg 1365 Ser Ala Ser Ser Val Trp Gly Phe Arg Glu Glu Leu Ala Pro Leu Val 405 410 415 ggg cca acg ctt tgg cga ctc caa gat gcc cct cca ggg acc ccc gcc 1413 Gly Pro Thr Leu Trp Arg Leu Gln Asp Ala Pro Pro Gly Thr Pro Ala 420 425 430 ata gcg tgg gga gag gtc cca agg cac cag ctt cga ggc cac ctc acc 1461 Ile Ala Trp Gly Glu Val Pro Arg His Gln Leu Arg Gly His Leu Thr 435 440 445 450 cac tac acc ttg tgt gca cag agt gga acc agc ccc tcc gtc tgc atg 1509 His Tyr Thr Leu Cys Ala Gln Ser Gly Thr Ser Pro Ser Val Cys Met 455 460 465 aat gtg agt ggc aac aca cag agt gtc acc ctg cct gac ctt cct tgg 1557 Asn Val Ser Gly Asn Thr Gln Ser Val Thr Leu Pro Asp Leu Pro Trp 470 475 480 ggt ccc tgt gag ctg tgg gtg aca gca tct acc atc gct gga cag ggc 1605 Gly Pro Cys Glu Leu Trp Val Thr Ala Ser Thr Ile Ala Gly Gln Gly 485 490 495 cct cct ggt ccc atc ctc cgg ctt cat cta cca gat aac acc ctg agg 1653 Pro Pro Gly Pro Ile Leu Arg Leu His Leu Pro Asp Asn Thr Leu Arg 500 505 510 tgg aaa gtt ctg ccg ggc atc cta ttc ttg tgg ggc ttg ttc ctg ttg 1701 Trp Lys Val Leu Pro Gly Ile Leu Phe Leu Trp Gly Leu Phe Leu Leu 515 520 525 530 ggg tgt ggc ctg agc ctg gcc acc tct gga agg tgc tac cac cta agg 1749 Gly Cys Gly Leu Ser Leu Ala Thr Ser Gly Arg Cys Tyr His Leu Arg 535 540 545 cac aaa gtg ctg ccc cgc tgg gtc tgg gag aaa gtt cct gat cct gcc 1797 His Lys Val Leu Pro Arg Trp Val Trp Glu Lys Val Pro Asp Pro Ala 550 555 560 aac agc agt tca ggc cag ccc cac atg gag caa gta cct gag gcc cag 1845 Asn Ser Ser Ser Gly Gln Pro His Met Glu Gln Val Pro Glu Ala Gln 565 570 575 ccc ctt ggg gac ttg ccc atc ctg gaa gtg gag gag atg gag ccc ccg 1893 Pro Leu Gly Asp Leu Pro Ile Leu Glu Val Glu Glu Met Glu Pro Pro 580 585 590 ccg gtt atg gag tcc tcc cag ccc gcc cag gcc acc gcc ccg ctt gac 1941 Pro Val Met Glu Ser Ser Gln Pro Ala Gln Ala Thr Ala Pro Leu Asp 595 600 605 610 tct ggg tat gag aag cac ttc ctg ccc aca cct gag gag ctg ggc ctt 1989 Ser Gly Tyr Glu Lys His Phe Leu Pro Thr Pro Glu Glu Leu Gly Leu 615 620 625 ctg ggg ccc ccc agg cca cag gtt ctg gcc tga accacacgtc tggctggggg 2042 Leu Gly Pro Pro Arg Pro Gln Val Leu Ala 630 635 ctgccagcca ggctagaggg atgctcatgc aggttgcacc ccagtcctgg attagccctc 2102 ttgatggatg aagacactga ggactcagag aggctgagtc acttacctga ggacacccag 2162 ccaggcagag ctgggattga aggaccccta tagagaaggg cttggccccc atggggaaga 2222 cacggatgga aggtggagca aaggaaaata catgaaattg agagtggcag ctgcctgcca 2282 aaatctgttc cgctgtaaca gaactgaatt tggaccccag cacagtggct cacgcctgta 2342 atcccagcac tttggcaggc caaggtggaa ggatcactta gagctaggag tttgagacca 2402 gcctgggcaa tatagcaaga cccctcacta naaaaataaa acatcaaaaa caaaaacaat 2462 tagctgggca tgatggcaca cacctgtagt ccgagccact tgggaggctg aggtgggagg 2522 atcggttgag cccaggagtt cgaagctgca gggacctctg attgcaccac tgcactccag 2582 gctgggtaac agaatgagac cttatctcaa aaataaacaa actaat 2628 14 636 PRT Homo sapiens misc_feature (2433)..(2433) n is a, t, g, or c. 14 Met Arg Gly Gly Arg Gly Gly Pro Phe Trp Leu Trp Pro Leu Pro Lys 1 5 10 15 Leu Ala Leu Leu Pro Leu Leu Trp Val Leu Phe Gln Arg Thr Arg Pro 20 25 30 Gln Gly Ser Ala Gly Pro Leu Gln Cys Tyr Gly Val Gly Pro Leu Gly 35 40 45 Asp Leu Asn Cys Ser Trp Glu Pro Leu Gly Asp Leu Gly Ala Pro Ser 50 55 60 Glu Leu His Leu Gln Ser Gln Lys Tyr Arg Ser Asn Lys Thr Gln Thr 65 70 75 80 Val Ala Val Ala Ala Gly Arg Ser Trp Val Ala Ile Pro Arg Glu Gln 85 90 95 Leu Thr Met Ser Asp Lys Leu Leu Val Trp Gly Thr Lys Ala Gly Gln 100 105 110 Pro Leu Trp Pro Pro Val Phe Val Asn Leu Glu Thr Gln Met Lys Pro 115 120 125 Asn Ala Pro Arg Leu Gly Pro Asp Val Asp Phe Ser Glu Asp Asp Pro 130 135 140 Leu Glu Ala Thr Val His Trp Ala Pro Pro Thr Trp Pro Ser His Lys 145 150 155 160 Val Leu Ile Cys Gln Phe His Tyr Arg Arg Cys Gln Glu Ala Ala Trp 165 170 175 Thr Leu Leu Glu Pro Glu Leu Lys Thr Ile Pro Leu Thr Pro Val Glu 180 185 190 Ile Gln Asp Leu Glu Leu Ala Thr Gly Tyr Lys Val Tyr Gly Arg Cys 195 200 205 Arg Met Glu Lys Glu Glu Asp Leu Trp Gly Glu Trp Ser Pro Ile Leu 210 215 220 Ser Phe Gln Thr Pro Pro Ser Ala Pro Lys Asp Val Trp Val Ser Gly 225 230 235 240 Asn Leu Cys Gly Thr Pro Gly Gly Glu Glu Pro Leu Leu Leu Trp Lys 245 250 255 Ala Pro Gly Pro Cys Val Gln Val Ser Tyr Lys Val Trp Phe Trp Val 260 265 270 Gly Gly Arg Glu Leu Ser Pro Glu Gly Ile Thr Cys Cys Cys Ser Leu 275 280 285 Ile Pro Ser Gly Ala Glu Trp Ala Arg Val Ser Ala Val Asn Ala Thr 290 295 300 Ser Trp Glu Pro Leu Thr Asn Leu Ser Leu Val Cys Leu Asp Ser Ala 305 310 315 320 Ser Ala Pro Arg Ser Val Ala Val Ser Ser Ile Ala Gly Ser Thr Glu 325 330 335 Leu Leu Val Thr Trp Gln Pro Gly Pro Gly Glu Pro Leu Glu His Val 340 345 350 Val Asp Trp Ala Arg Asp Gly Asp Pro Leu Glu Lys Leu Asn Trp Val 355 360 365 Arg Leu Pro Pro Gly Asn Leu Ser Ala Leu Leu Pro Gly Asn Phe Thr 370 375 380 Val Gly Val Pro Tyr Arg Ile Thr Val Thr Ala Val Ser Ala Ser Gly 385 390 395 400 Leu Ala Ser Ala Ser Ser Val Trp Gly Phe Arg Glu Glu Leu Ala Pro 405 410 415 Leu Val Gly Pro Thr Leu Trp Arg Leu Gln Asp Ala Pro Pro Gly Thr 420 425 430 Pro Ala Ile Ala Trp Gly Glu Val Pro Arg His Gln Leu Arg Gly His 435 440 445 Leu Thr His Tyr Thr Leu Cys Ala Gln Ser Gly Thr Ser Pro Ser Val 450 455 460 Cys Met Asn Val Ser Gly Asn Thr Gln Ser Val Thr Leu Pro Asp Leu 465 470 475 480 Pro Trp Gly Pro Cys Glu Leu Trp Val Thr Ala Ser Thr Ile Ala Gly 485 490 495 Gln Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro Ile Leu Arg Leu His Leu Pro Asp Asn Thr 500 505 510 Leu Arg Trp Lys Val Leu Pro Gly Ile Leu Phe Leu Trp Gly Leu Phe 515 520 525 Leu Leu Gly Cys Gly Leu Ser Leu Ala Thr Ser Gly Arg Cys Tyr His 530 535 540 Leu Arg His Lys Val Leu Pro Arg Trp Val Trp Glu Lys Val Pro Asp 545 550 555 560 Pro Ala Asn Ser Ser Ser Gly Gln Pro His Met Glu Gln Val Pro Glu 565 570 575 Ala Gln Pro Leu Gly Asp Leu Pro Ile Leu Glu Val Glu Glu Met Glu 580 585 590 Pro Pro Pro Val Met Glu Ser Ser Gln Pro Ala Gln Ala Thr Ala Pro 595 600 605 Leu Asp Ser Gly Tyr Glu Lys His Phe Leu Pro Thr Pro Glu Glu Leu 610 615 620 Gly Leu Leu Gly Pro Pro Arg Pro Gln Val Leu Ala 625 630 635 

What is claimed is:
 1. An isolated or recombinant polynucleotide encoding an antigenic polypeptide comprising at least 17 contiguous amino acids from the mature polypeptide from SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 8, or
 10. 2. The polynucleotide of claim 1, encoding a mature polypeptide from SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 8, or
 10. 3. The polynucleotide of claim 1, which hybridizes at 55° C., less than 500 mM salt, and 50% formamide to the coding portions of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 7, or
 9. 4. The polynucleotide of claim 3, comprising at least 35 contiguous nucleotides of the coding portion of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 7, or
 9. 5. An expression vector comprising the polynucleotide of claim
 1. 6. A host cell containing the expression vector of claim 5, including a eukaryotic cell.
 7. A method of making an antigenic polypeptide comprising expressing a recombinant polynucleotide of claim
 1. 8. A method for forming a duplex with a polynucleotide of claim 1, comprising contacting said polynucleotide with a probe that hybridizes, under stringent conditions, to at least 25 contiguous nucleotides of the coding portion of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 7, or 9; thereby forming said duplex.
 9. A kit for the detection of a polynucleotide of claim 1, comprising a polynucleotide that hybridizes, under stringent hybridization conditions, to at least 17 contiguous nucleotides of a polynucleotide of claim
 1. 10. The kit of claim 9, wherein said probe is detectably labeled.
 11. A binding compound comprising an antibody binding site which specifically binds to at least 17 contiguous amino acids from SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 8, or
 10. 12. The binding compound of claim 11, wherein: a) said antibody binding site is: 1) specifically immunoreactive with a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 8, or 10; 2) raised against a purified or recombinantly produced human IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 protein; or 3) in a monoclonal antibody, Fab, or F(ab)2; or b) said binding compound is: 1) an antibody molecule; 2) a polyclonal antiserum; 3) detectably labeled; 4) sterile; or 5) in a buffered composition.
 13. A method using the binding compound of claim 11, comprising contacting said binding compound with a biological sample comprising an antigen, wherein said contacting results in formation of a binding compound: antigen complex.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein said biological sample is from a human, and wherein said binding compound is an antibody.
 15. A detection kit comprising said binding compound of claim 12, and: a) instructional material for the use of said binding compound for said detection; or b) a compartment providing segregation of said binding compound.
 16. A substantially pure or isolated antigenic polypeptide, which binds to said binding composition of claim 11, and further comprises at least 17 contiguous amino acids from SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 8, or
 10. 17. The polypeptide of claim 16, which: a) comprises at least a fragment of at least 25 contiguous amino acid residues from a primate IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3 protein; b) is a soluble polypeptide; c) is detectably labeled; d) is in a sterile composition; e) is in a buffered composition; f) binds to a cell surface receptor; g) is recombinantly produced; or h) has a naturally occurring polypeptide sequence.
 18. The polypeptide of claim 17, which comprises at least 17 contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 8, or
 10. 19. A method of modulating physiology or development of a cell or tissue culture cells comprising contacting said cell with an agonist or antagonist of a primate IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein: a) said contacting is in combination with an agonist or antagonist of IL-11; or b) said contacting is with an antagonist, including binding composition comprising an antibody binding site which specifically binds an IL-D80 or IL-D80/EBI3.
 21. A composite cytokine comprising a plurality of segments of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 8, or 10 and SEQ ID NO:
 12. 22. An isolated or recombinant polynucleotide encoding the composite cytokine of claim
 21. 23. A binding composition which specifically binds to an antigenic fragment of the composite cytokine of claim
 21. 24. A receptor subunit:ligand composition comprising a plurality of polypeptide segments of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 8, or 10; SEQ ID NO: 12; and SEQ ID NO:
 13. 25. A binding composition which specifically binds to an antigenic fragment of the receptor subuni:ligand composition of claim
 24. 